Postpartum Depression

• Approximately 75% to 85% of women will experience, at a minimum, the “Baby Blues”. This is very common and normal.
• Many will develop a more severe condition of postpartum depression.
• The reported rate of postpartum depression among new mothers is between 10% to 20%.
• One recent study found that 1 in 7 women may experience postpartum depression in the year after giving birth.
• With approximately 4 million live births occurring each year in the United States, this equates to almost 600,000 women with postpartum depression.

Signs and symptoms of baby blues which usually last a few days to a week or two after your baby is born may include:

• Mood swings
• Mild Irritability
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Trouble sleeping or a restless sleep
• Brief crying spells
• Reduced concentration
• Appetite fluctuations

Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer. They may eventually interfere with your ability to care for your baby including breastfeeding or attending wellcare pediatrician appointments. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth, but may begin earlier such as during pregnancy or even a year after having given birth. There is a high biological component driven by hormonal changes in dopamine, prolactin and estrogen.

• Postpartum depression signs and symptoms may include:
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Fear that you’re not a good mother or can’t take care of your baby
• Withdrawing from your baby
• Excessive or uncontrollable crying
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia)
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Intense irritability and anger
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness or being inadequate
• Diminished ability to think clearly, focus, concentrate or make decisions
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Thoughts of death or even suicide