Momma Singing the Blues

Is this the Baby Blues
​or Postpartum Depression?

Motherhood. Isn't it supposed to be sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, everything that's wonderful… that's what it looks like on TV and that's what it seems like before you have a child. However, motherhood is not the lyrics of a Lesley Gore song. Motherhood can look quite different for moms.
Motherhood could be 4 AM pumping, inconsolable crying, late nights and early mornings, when was the last time I showered? Now, don't get me wrong motherhood can be beautiful and wonderful and lovely! It's a time of growing, learning, changing, and transition. However, it can also be a time where hormonally your body is changing, socially your circles are morphing and neurochemically you could be experiencing quite a roller coaster ride. One of the rides that many women have a ticket for is the one of postpartum depression. 


What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs after giving birth. Symptoms can include feelings of hopeless or helplessness, appetite and sleep disturbances, unexplained physical complaints, sadness and tearfulness, feelings of guilt or shame, as the inability to care for yourself or your newborn. You may express it as lack of feelings toward your baby. Loss of interest, joy, or pleasure. You may say to yourself, “...this doesn't feel like me.”


Isn't this the Baby Blues?

There is such a thing called the baby blues. It's different from postpartum depression. The baby blues affects about 70 to 80% of new moms. Symptoms can include crying, feeling overwhelmed with motherhood, impatience, irritability, fatigue, and poor concentration. It's due to extreme hormone fluctuations at the time of birth and sleep deprivation can also create these feelings. However the dominant mood of the mother is one of happiness.


Postpartum depression vs. baby blues?

The baby blues has some symptoms that mirror postpartum depression. This can be confusing if you are not aware of what you're looking for, especially if you're a new mom. You may think that the symptoms of postpartum depression are just the baby blues. However, when evaluating postpartum depression three things are considered.

• Severity
  The baby blue symptoms are typically mild and less intense than those of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression symptoms tend to feel overwhelming and are more severe than baby blues.

 

• Timing
  Baby blues symptoms can occur minutes after delivery and tend to peak 3 to 5 days after delivery.

 

• Duration
  Baby blues symptoms should not last more than 14 days after delivery

Do you know your, "stuff," quiz yourself to see what you've learned.

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To aid mothers to be and recent moms, we developed The Postpartum Mental Wellness Planner, a free online resource at www.postpartummentalwellness.com. In it you will walk away with a detailed personalized plan for your postpartum mental wellness.

If you are experiencing anxiety or depression and you've recently had a little one or are currently pregnant you can speak with a mental health professional by scheduling an appointment with Maternal Counseling Services, PLLC, or email help@maternalcounselingservices.com.

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​Ciji C. Gamble, MA, LPC, NCC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan, and the owner of Maternal Counseling Services, a counseling private practice that specializes in the care of postpartum mothers. As a counselor Ciji helps women, at all stages of life, find peace in their present and hope for their future. She is the mother of a toddler, wife and a teacher at heart.