You just gave birth. Congratulations! You’re now a mother, and your life is forever changed–for better or worse, who knows? Either way, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Who knew that giving birth could be so hard on your body and mind? Luckily, we’ve put together this list of FAQs to help you understand what’s going on with your body post-birth:
The Baby Blues
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the baby blues, it’s normal. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reports that up to 80% of new mothers experience some mild symptoms during this period. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, irritability, fatigue and an inability to care for yourself or others–but these symptoms usually go away within 1-2 weeks without treatment.
If your baby blues are more severe or last longer than two weeks without improvement in your mood and functioning level, then it may be time for some extra support from friends and family members as well as possibly a visit with a doctor, says Dr. Rachel Oliver.
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is a normal response to the stress of caring for a newborn. It’s not something you should feel bad about or ashamed of, but it’s important that you know it’s okay to ask for help and get treatment if you need it.
Anxiety can be treated with medication and therapy, but it can also be treated without medication if you don’t want to take prescription drugs while breastfeeding (or while pregnant). In some cases, a combination of both types of treatments may be best–talk with your doctor about what would work best for you.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that occurs after childbirth. It’s a serious condition that requires treatment, but it’s more common than you might think: between 10 and 20 percent of women experience PPD.
If you are experiencing symptoms of PPD, Dr. Rachel Oliver it’s important to seek help early. Therapy or medication can help reduce the symptoms associated with PPD and get your life back on track so that you feel better as quickly as possible.
