Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
Several of you have asked about the difference between Baby Blues (what I had after having Cam) and Postpartum Depression. I wanted to give you all a couple key pieces of information to clarify the two:
Baby Blues
- 70-80% of new moms are affected by Baby Blues due to roller-coaster hormone levels, little sleep and dealing with an adorable, yet helpless little baby…all the while still recovering from labor.
- Baby blues only last a couple weeks after giving birth
- Symptoms include: weepiness, irritability and feelings of being overwhelmed and/or scared
Postpartum Depression
- PPD affects 10-20% of women, whom have usually had a personal or family history of depression (including PPD)
- Postpartum depression lasts much longer than a few weeks with much more intense emotions
- Symptoms include: inability or lack of desire to take care of yourself and/or your baby, eating problems, extreme fatigue, memory problems, persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness, insomnia, memory problems and feelings of panic.
For more information, read this article on What to Expect. It really clarifies the two and differentiates the symptoms between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression, how to deal with both and when to seek help.
Hope this helps you all a little bit. Let me know your thoughts below.
Xx,
Vanessa
Source: WhatToExpect.com
Image: Parents.com
Category
motherhood moments
7 comments
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Being a mom for 17 years and a single mom for quite a few of those 17 years I struggle with understanding baby blues especially when resources such as wealth and fame are available. Maybe I'm lucky and didn't experience these things or maybe I did and realized when my first child entered the world I knew my life wasn't about myself anymore but about the person I chose to bring into the world. I guess I'm old school you do what you should and what you have to do and that's it. Best of luck to new moms...it'll get better and your kids will be the loves of your life. -
Good Morning from Nebraska! First off, I have always admired you & Nick. This article you have written confirms my feelings. My husband and I have two healthy,beautiful daughters! Going into our first pregnancy we were beyond excited. I felt we were prepared for the most amazing experience of our lives. It would change everything...but only for the better. And in the end that is true. Labor was for 3 days.. followed by a c-section on the third night. My epideral didn't work! So the next step was to put me out. My husband was not in the room when our little girl came into the world. He was not allowed. Prayers were answered though because all that mattered was we had a healthy baby girl. As for me the intensity of exhaustion was beyond words. I could hardly move from what I endured the week spent in the hospital. Going on we found we had a very vocal baby, she would cry unless held..This was the case from the first night we were home. I was sooo frightened for the next night to come. The sun would go down & I was scared. I wished for time with my husband. I wished for alot of things. But I didn't tell a soul. I took it on completly. Happy face, got up and showered, did my hair & make up. It was unspoken, I did not tell anyone. I was ashamed I was feeling this way. I grew up with parents that were completly ideal. My mom held it togther my entire life. I wanted to do the same. Today Jamisyn is 4 years old. Beautiful,sweet happy all the time. She is my best friend. I adore her so much, I would go thru it all over again. Our second daughter born 9-6-13. Everything from the pregnancy, delivery and bringing her home was perfect. She is the happiest baby... I get nothing done because I can't stop looking at her. Precious baby!! But I told my doctor early on what had happened. They checked on me weekly, calling to see if I was doing ok! Thankful for them.I was not ashamed....no longer trying to be perfect. Look perfect. No more. I could not be more complete. I appriciate your voice. And It feels so good to see this spoken about. Sending our love and prayers. Thank you again! And I love this page, amazing!! Staying home with my kids, I will check this out daily! XO T.
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Hey Vanessa, I am a labor and delivery nurse and we do educate our patients on the signs and symptoms of the baby blues as well as post partum depression. I am so glad you are bringing public awareness to this issue because alot of women are embarrassed or afraid to admit when they have any of these feelings. I personally suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my 3rd child and it completely rocked me to my core. The sad thing is I was afraid to tell anyone because I thought they would think I was crazy and take my kids. I would literally go into my bathroom and listen to my 5 year old, 2 year old and newborn screaming on the outside and beating on the door and I would just bawl my eyes out. It literally incompassitated me. I couldn't function normally and I would have vivid thoughts and visions of putting my newborn son in the dryer. Even writing it now 12 years later it brings tears to my eyes. It is a very real and very serious illness and more new mom's need to be aware that having these thoughts of harming your baby are COMPLETELY NORMAL and a very common symptom of post partum depression and not be afraid or embarrassed to let someone know. There is help available and after 2 weeks of the right medication I was back to feeling like my old self and being the mother that my kids deserved. So again, thank you so much for bringing awareness to this very real issue that happens to alot of new moms. God bless you and your beautiful family. -
Baby blues is very common, it happened to my sister's & sister-in law. They would cry for no reason at all...last for about 2 weeks. As for me the only feelings i had was the sense of being overwhelm. And having a intense fear or scared someone is going to break in house & kidnap my baby. The fear would intensify at night especially nights my husband wasn't home. Horrible feeling!! I thought i was going crazy. These feelings lasted couple of months. -
thanks for clarifing that for me, it did help alot i'm glad i signed up. you and nick have a handsome little boy. take care.
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I had ppd after my son was born.
I felt ljke i was walking with a black cloud over my head and just feeling so lost in myself .
In Ireland when your baby is 4 months you are sent to a nurse who is specifically there to check on your wellbeing and how your coping, I let it all out to her. And nearly instantly felt the weight coming off my shoulders I had help, someone who understood and listened. My husband tried of course but he was finding it difficult as well
It was tough but I got through it and I just want to say to anyone else suffering you will get through it! Just ask for help it is there!
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