While everyone prepares for the nursery and the birth plan, there is one critical topic that often gets sidelined: your mental health after the baby arrives. Postpartum Depression (PPD) affects one in seven new mothers, yet many suffer in silence because they don’t know the red flags.
More than baby blues
More women than you’d think experience the baby blues. Baby blues are a few days of tearfulness and irritability right after birth. However, if those feelings persist beyond two weeks and feel heavy or debilitating, it is likely PPD.
Anhedonia
A primary sign of PPD is no longer finding pleasure in things you used to love. You might feel numb rather than just sad, even when holding your newborn.
Excessive guilt and shame
PPD often manifests as a constant voice telling you that you’re a bad mother or that your baby would be better off without you. These thoughts are symptoms of a medical condition and should be treated as such.
Physical exhaustion that sleep can’t fix
While all new parents are tired, PPD exhaustion feels different. It’s a physical heaviness that makes even simple tasks, like showering or changing a diaper, feel like climbing a mountain.
Intrusive thoughts
Many mothers experience scary, repetitive thoughts about something bad happening to the baby. While terrifying, these are often symptoms of postpartum anxiety or depression and should be discussed with a professional as early as possible.
When to seek help
If you feel like you are disappearing or if your symptoms interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, please reach out to a healthcare provider. You aren’t alone, and it is highly treatable.
Further Reading: Postpartum Depression in Men
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