What New Moms Need to Know About Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression

Having a newborn at home is not always about happiness, joy and excitement, especially if we talk about the new moms. Postpartum depression is a common scenario that most mothers go through after giving birth. It’s a result of the hormone imbalance in the bodies of new moms that lead to what we know as postpartum depression. 


Running away from this phase will only bring more confusion, anxiety, discomfort and fear. So, if you are a new mom or a mom-to-be, you need to prepare yourself for the same. Read along to learn about some important points about postpartum depression. 

It May Hit You a Few Weeks After Giving Birth

PPD is not like baby blues. It does not hit you immediately after childbirth. Instead, you may feel the symptoms after 2-3 weeks. You may experience low mood, irritability, low libido and an indifferent attitude among other symptoms.  


Unlike baby blues, postpartum depression can stick around for as long as 6-8 weeks and even get worse if not dealt with properly.

Postpartum Depression Needs Medical Care

When you start seeing the symptoms of postpartum depression in yourself or someone you know, it’s very important to ensure that the situation gets medical attention. 


If left unheeded, PPD can turn worse and even dangerous. The mother can also experience thoughts of self-harm, hallucinations, rage and thoughts of harming the baby. In this case, immediate medical intervention is necessary.

It’s Okay to Not Feel Connected With Your Baby

One of the most common symptoms of postpartum depression is the lack of empathy and motherly feeling. In most cases, women who feel this way feel guilty and afraid to bring their emotions to the fore. Repressing these emotions can worsen the PPD. 


Not feeling a connection with your baby is totally normal. It’s not you who is at fault here, it’s the hormonal imbalance that changes the way you feel or in this case, should feel. 

You Can Be Predisposed to Postpartum Depression

There are several factors that can predispose you to go through the PPD phase. The most prominent one is the history of PPD. If you’ve given birth before and have faced PPD, there’s a 50% chance that you will go through it again. 


Other factors include abusive situations, stressful environments, medications etc. So, keep up with a healthy routine and take care of your mental health to lower the risk of PPD. 

You Are Not the Only One

Postpartum depression (PPD) can occur in 15-85% of women after childbirth. In fact, some women have reported feeling depressed a few weeks before and during pregnancy. 


It’s not really under your control so you must not feel guilty or helpless in this situation. You must remember that you are not alone. PPD can hit you anytime and without notice. It can be different for different women but it’s not just you who is going through it. It’s important to learn and understand that many women have gone through different forms of PPD such as postpartum anxiety, OCD, psychosis, etc. at some point after their pregnancy.


Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

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