Some information on baby blues...I thought I was getting severely depressed after I

_jellybean_

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had my son, so I wanted to put this out there. It's funny that right when you have your little baby, you stop feeling pregnant. I did at least. I still felt awful from the c-section, but I didn't have to run to the bathroom all night, which was great. Once baby is here, that's it! For me, I just had to get through the week or so of the "baby blues." I had crying fits where I could not even stand up--my husband had to hold me so I wouldn't fall over. It was really intense. I had no idea this even happened, and just thought that I was a new person--someone who cried all the time, ha ha. It happened to me I think exactly four days after having my son. Here's some info, and the link is below the text:

How often do women experience the “baby blues”?
Approximately 70-80% of all new mothers experience some negative feelings or mood swings after the birth of their child.

When do the “baby blues” occur?
Often the symptoms of “baby blues” will hit forcefully within four to five days after the birth of the baby, although depending on how the birth of the baby went, they be noticeable earlier.

What are the symptoms of “baby blues”?
Symptoms of “baby blues” include:

Weepiness or crying for no apparent reason
Impatience
Irritability
Restlessness
Anxiety
Fatigue
Insomnia (even when the baby is sleeping)
Sadness
Mood changes
Poor concentration
What causes the “baby blues”?
The exact cause of the “baby blues” is unknown at this time. It is thought to be related to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after a baby is born. These hormonal changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that result in depression. Also, the amount of adjustment that come's after the birth of a baby, along with sleep disturbance, disruption of "routine", and emotions from the childbirth experience itself can all contribute to how a new mom feels.

How long do the “baby blues” last?
The symptoms of the "baby blues" normally occur for a few minutes up to few hours each day. These symptoms should lessen and disappear within fourteen days after delivery.

How can you take care of yourself?
Taking care of mom is the best way to decrease the sypmtoms of the "baby blues." There are several different ways that you can care for yourself if you are having the “baby blues.”

Talk with someone that you trust about how you are feeling
Maintain a well balanced diet. Having a new baby may cause you not to eat correctly, and too many simple carbohydrates can make mood swings more pronounced
Keep a journal of all your thoughts and feelings.
Get outside to enjoy fresh air and life outside the confines of diapers, feedings and spit up. Sometimes just a different view for a few moments can make a huge difference.
Ask for help. Help with meals, other children, getting into a "routine", any help that allows you to focus on the joy of having a new baby and not just the pressure of juggling it all.
Don't expect perfection in the first few weeks. Give yourself time to heal from birth, time to adjust to your new "job" and time for feeding and sleeping routines to settle in.
It is important to remember that you are not alone in your feelings. If your symptoms last longer than fourteen days it could be an indication of a more serious condition, such as postpartum depression. Be honest with your care provider at all your follow up appointments. Remember you are not going to shock them with your feelings. They speak with postpartum women all the time and are the best to evaluate how you are doing, if you are honest about where you are at.


https://www.americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/babyblues.htm
 
Thank you jellybean. For some reason I have been feeling like this for most of my pregnancy so far, &I was wondering/worrying about after the birth. Thanks for the checklist, I know what to look out for & also that it's normal! X
 
Im really worried about how il be after the baby is born. I was diagnosed with anxiety and given medication for this, but when I found out I was pregnant I stopped. The only way I can control my anxiety is by staying in the house all the time, unless I can go out with someone I know well.

As I want to breast feed after my section, im very worried about sleep, if I don't get enough sleep I get very very down and extreemly anxious :s
 
_jellybean_ Thank you so much for posting this. I suffered with PND very badly after DS was born. It went undiagnosed for over a year. In the end I sought help, the medical professionals were excellent. I was worried they'd think I was going mad, couldn't cope and call in social services etc but no, they were brilliantly supportive and completely understood my feelings and I was glad I was honest with them.

Jenny_J - My best friend suffers with anxiety and was on medication which she stopped during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She swears by the Bach Flower Rescue Remedies, which are safe in pregnancy (you can check this online) when diluted in water. I know a lot of people don't believe in homeopathic remedies, but the absolutely worked for her and I have also used them at times and seen the benefits, so it might be something you could do some research on and try if you feel it might help? This is a good point of reference
https://www.bachcentre.com/centre/pregnant.htm
Here midwives and GPs recommend the Rescue Remedy blend for things like fear of flying when you're pregnant.
 
_jellybean_ Thank you so much for posting this. I suffered with PND very badly after DS was born. It went undiagnosed for over a year. In the end I sought help, the medical professionals were excellent. I was worried they'd think I was going mad, couldn't cope and call in social services etc but no, they were brilliantly supportive and completely understood my feelings and I was glad I was honest with them.

Jenny_J - My best friend suffers with anxiety and was on medication which she stopped during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She swears by the Bach Flower Rescue Remedies, which are safe in pregnancy (you can check this online) when diluted in water. I know a lot of people don't believe in homeopathic remedies, but the absolutely worked for her and I have also used them at times and seen the benefits, so it might be something you could do some research on and try if you feel it might help? This is a good point of reference
https://www.bachcentre.com/centre/pregnant.htm
Here midwives and GPs recommend the Rescue Remedy blend for things like fear of flying when you're pregnant.

Thanks, I will look into that :)
 
Hope you can find something to help. :hugs:
 
Thank you Jellybean for this post, I already had depression when I got pregnant and immediately came off my medication, and I am struggling without it. It doesn't help that the Obstrician (spelling!) says that people with depression are more likely to suffer postnatal depression, that didn't cheer me up but good to be realistic too.

I really suffer if I don't get lots of sleep too Jenny J and am extremely worried how I'll cope with no sleep when baby is here, I am extremely grouchy without lots of sleep and at times feel as if I'm addicted to it, but I think and hope that that is just part of my depression and will ease when I have a lovely baby girl : )
 
Thank you too Kyla, I am now thinking of getting some Rescue Remedy after looking at that website.
I also read somewhere that Vitamin B6 is good for producing Serotonin, strange how when I have spoken to my doctor about feeling depressed that they haven't recommended Vitamin B6 but I will speak to them before I buy some to check I can take it while pregnant.
 
Thanks for posting this! More women need to know they are not alone. I had no depression or baby blues with my first 4 pregnancies. I became severely depressed in the 2nd trimester of my last pregnancy. I still had 4 other children to care for while my husband worked very long hours and most days I could barely pull myself out of bed let alone breaking out crying in front of my children for no reason. Things got way worse before they got better. I did some therapy to avoid taking meds. After I had my little one things got a little worse then eventually after about 4 months things started to look up for me. I had it for quite some time. I got through the days by telling myself it will get better!! I believed it every second of every day but anyone going throught this just know you are not alone and it will get better. Thanks so much for this post!! :) Hugs to everyone feeling down or anxious.
 
Rosie2806 - When I was at my worst with depression, I could sleep all day. I would get up to drop my son off at nursery (he was getting used to it before I went back to work) and then I'd go home and sleep until I needed to pick him up at lunchtime. When I later saw a counsellor, she said that depressive illnesses often cause sleep problems (needing too much or too little) and she helped me recognise when the depression was trying to control me, by making my anxious etc. I was really glad I went to see her for some sessions and I really recommend it to people. I thought I'd hate going, but it was a brilliant experience, maybe you could get a referral from your Doctor with a view to helping you avoid future depression.

With regard to Rescue Remedy, I took it when I had to fly early in 2nd trimester along with Bach's Mimulus (for fear). I am a terribly anxious flyer and usually need valium to knock me out, but obviously I couldn't take anything. My GP recommended Rescue Remedy and Mimulus and it was amazing. I felt so calm and I'm even thinking of using it next time instead of valium. It's not for everyone, but worth trying to see if it helps.

Anyone suffering with depression, you are never alone and there is lots of help out there. :hugs:
 
So happy I found this thread!! Just had my baby girl 5 days ago and since than have been extremely emotional. I keep crying for no reason I try to be happy but there is this sadness that I just can't shake. Its driving me crazy today I broke down in front of my other three kids and I feel awful. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get through this?
 
I wish I had really good advice on how to get through it. The best I can say is, don't be afraid to talk about it with someone you love and who will support you. Someone who will just hold you when you cry and listen to you when you need it. Also, just knowing that it is normal helped me. It didn't make me cry any less, but I was able to understand that it was most likely going to be something temporary. And don't be afraid to ask for help. Like, if you are feeling sleep deprived, don't be afraid to ask someone to watch baby while you have a nap. It will help!

Here is a blog post I wrote about my experience with the baby blues if anyone wants to read it.
 

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