It’s 3 a.m. in the morning and you’re up googling to figure out why your baby is crying or why your baby won’t sleep or how long a baby should be sleeping. You can’t remember the last time you really had sleep, sleep. When you’re caring for your baby, you are worried if what you are doing (or not doing) is putting your baby in harm’s way. Is the baby breathing? Why is your baby not moving? If you’re not worrying, you’re wondering why you’re feeling sad all the time since your baby was born? Isn’t this suppose to be the happiest time of your life? You feel worthless and incapable of caring for your baby.
About 15-20% of new moms will develop a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder (PMADs). PMADs are very common and you’re certainly not alone in feeling this way.
What causes it?
There are several risk factors for developing a Postpartum Depression or anxiety disorder.
- Personal or family history of mental illness(es), like anxiety or depression.
- Limited social support systems—perhaps you are a single mother? Or you have an absentee partner?
- Pregnancy or birth complications (e.g. high risk pregnancy, infertility, miscarriages, premature delivery, emergency C-section, etc.)
These are only a few risk factors. For more information, please visit PostPartum.net
What are the symptoms I should be looking for?
While many women may feel depressed or anxious after having a baby, it might be time for you to seek professional help if the any of the following symptoms below are affecting your quality of life:
- Changes in appetite (i.e. eating less or eating more than usual)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Changes in sleeping patterns (e.g. unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, etc).
- Intrusive thoughts, images, or fears of harm coming to your baby that you cannot control
- Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there
Treatment for Postpartum Depression or Postpartum Anxiety
As a mother myself, I know the importance of building “my village” to help me get through the beauty and challenges of parenthood. I want you to know that these feelings and experiences you are having are temporary, treatable, and you can find joy in being a parent. Irvine has a lot of mom groups and meet ups that you can join, which is a great way to get together with others moms and their babies. Make sure you engage in self-care—this might mean asking for help, going to get a pedicure, a haircut, reading a book, exercising, and making sure you eat healthy and balanced meals.