Having a baby is a joy that is usually preceded by much anxiety and stress, leaving many new mothers feeling their emotions are all over the place, is a situation called baby blues. Baby blues is triggered by the change in hormones after child delivery, stress, isolation, sleep deprivation, and fatigue, leaving many women feeling more tearful, overwhelmed and emotional.
While this is normal immediately after childbirth, if your symptoms persist after two to three weeks or if you feel you are getting worse with managing your emotions, you may be suffering from postpartum depression.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression symptoms are severe leaving you with:
- an inability to care for your newborn
- withdrawing from your partner
- inability to bond well with your baby
- heightened fear and anxiety
- the sense of losing control and insomnia
- feelings of guilt/worthlessness overwhelming
- preoccupation with thinking about death
You are not alone, counselling and therapy provide a good environment for helping you deal with the adjustments of motherhood.