How do I know if I have postpartum depression?

Typically, symptoms related to hormone imbalance should only be prevalent for a few weeks after delivery, usually about 6 to 8 weeks. Symptoms related to hormones while breastfeeding will remain in the body for as long as a woman breastfeeds. Life-threatening conditions that can happen after giving birth include infections, blood clots, postpartum depression, and postpartum hemorrhage. Warning signs include chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, severe headache, and extreme pain. Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.

Many people feel sad after giving birth, this is called the "baby blues", this is due to the fluctuations in hormone levels that happen after birth. The "baby blues" seem to go away after 3-5 days after birth because the hormones return to normal levels. The first sign of having postpartum depression is if these so called "baby blues" last longer than a week. Another sign of postpartum depression is insomnia. I know that it would be hard to tell if you have insomnia or if its just your new baby being loud. Most new mothers are exhausted with taking care of a new baby and sleep at every opportunity they had. If you still feel exhausted but you can't sleep that is insomnia. Other signs are a loss in appetite, irritability and of course a difficulty bonding with your baby. I think the biggest question to ask yourself is what are your thoughts about your baby. Do you naturally feel like you want to protect them from harm? Have you considered abandoning your baby? If this is the case the best thing to do is seek proper help with a qualified therapist/psychologist. Many women experience postpartum depression and the guilt linked with it. Luckily postpartum depression doesn't usually last longer than a few months and it will improve heaps if you talk to someone about it. I wish you all the best and I hope things get better for you.

If you are experiencing classical signs of depression after your transition in motherhood, you might want to consider reaching out to a professional. There are a variety of symptoms that might implicate that you may have postpartum depression. This may include worry or anxiety, an overall negative mood or attitude, maybe some self-blame, sensitivity, over-eating or perhaps under-eating, maybe some trouble with getting sleep or maybe even sleeping too much. Some other signs may be a general loss of motivation to keep up with hygiene, over-caring for your baby or under-caring, loss of please in the things you used to once enjoy before motherhood, and perhaps some irritability. I hope this helps.

Changes after such life experience is very common, Have you noticed a change in your eating habits, Possible loss of appetite? , Are you experiencing some difficulty bonding with baby, Crying, A lose of interest in your usual activities, Anger, Having a difficult time sleeping due to constant overthinking or unable to concentrate? If you believe one or more of these symptoms mentioned feel familiar you might be experiencing postpartum depression and you may benefit from reaching out to either a friend/family that you are comfortable with or if this is not an option you are comfortable with you may also want to consider reaching out for professional assistance during this difficult time.

There are a few tests online that can guide you. You can make a list of your symptoms and track how you are feeling, then take that into your doctor and speak with them. Have you spoken to your doctor about how you are feeling? Reaching out to them is the best step you can take. Do you have support at home? It can be really difficult to have an infant or newborn and be feeling this way. You can look up some of the symptoms of post partum depression online as well and see if that matches what you are feeling. I hope this helps.

Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression include prolonged sadness or depressed mood, weakness, fatigue, loss of interest, change in the appetite, changed sleeping patterns, feelings of being a bad mother, thoughts of harming self or the baby, crying for no reason, not feeling bonded to the baby, feeling anxious around the baby, difficulty concentrating, and feeling worthless. These symptoms can be experienced during pregnancy or after child birth. Note: Please do not self diagnose, always consult a mental health professional (clinical psychologist and / or psychiatrist). There's a lot more that goes into diagnosis apart from only the symptoms.

Hello, first of all congratulations on the birth of your baby! If you are asking this question, you might have noticed changes in your mood, feelings and behaviours since you gave birth. Giving birth and becoming a mother is a physical and mentally challenging event, so it's normal to feel overwhelmed at the beginning. However, if your mood does not seem to improve in a few weeks, you should talk to your GP/ob-gyn/community midwife. Also, it's important to have a support network of trusted people around you that you can reach out to when you feel the need. Take care and I wish you all the best for you and your family

Because you're going to feel pretty terrible, most of the time. When you're so confused about why you feel so crazy, when you can't understand where it's coming from, when you can't think straight, when you have the most appalling guilt, because you should be soooo happy, etc etc.... that's when you know you have a problem. And the very first thing to do is get medical help. Things will start to ease off the minute you do. Recognition of this problem is the biggest step you can take on the road to recovery. Your closet family and friends can also take the heat off if you feel comfortable talking to them about what's happening to you. I pray that you do because they need to know and dare I say, they will likely feel they have a responsibility to help you. (which is a good thing, by the way). You're a new parent, you're already exhausted and a little bit scared, give yourself a break, see the issue for what it is and get yourself some serious help. This problem is entirely fixable. I wish you all the best.

You recently gave birth. You are experiencing unusual physical and emotional symptoms including that your mood has plummeted dramatically in a short time. You may be feeling extremely tired but getting poor sleep. The joyous tasks of caring for your baby may seem dull or monotonous to you right now. Your mind has wandered into this state rather than arrived at it logically. Your mind has been wandering alot and the thought pathways are negative or depressing. You are alone alot or there are no other adults around to talk to you most of the time which is, not helping. You are losing enjoyment for daily life and activities. Your arms may feel heavier, your body may feel heavier or denser. You may feel you have gained excessive weight. You may have very low energy levels and having difficulty breastfeeding either producing milk or creating effective feeding routines with your baby. Try this quiz as well. https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents/maternal-mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-checklist-for-mums

For me, my thoughts and behaviors were not part of my normal self. Exhaustion that sleep would not help. It felt like normal depression's bigger brother. I was either eating to much or to little. Any kind of self care was almost impossible. Sleeping became even more impossible that what you would expect from having a new born. I did not want to talk anyone, I did not want to go anywhere or do anything. I did not get excited over things that you normally would get excited for. I was moody much longer than the normal recovery time that was expected.

If you have post-partum typically after birth you become very sad and it becomes hard for you to bond with your child. You may not like the things you liked before and you may start to look at your body in a way you didn't look at it before. You may lose yourself because of anything you use to do for fun or enjoyment you may feel as if you are neglecting your child because you are not with them. Lots of women have crazy thoughts and think they are not good mothers. Motherhood is a crazy and wild change and post-partum is hard.