Talk about ups and down’s! It’s normal for a new mom to go through a wide range of emotions – from joy, excitement and amazement to fear, sadness, anger and more – often in a short period of time! Physical changes, fatigue, changing hormones and pressure of this new “on-the-job-training” all contribute to this, and new parents are often surprised about the depth of all their emotions! All new parents go through a time of adjustment after the new baby arrives.
Post partum emotions
Post Partum Blues
During the first few weeks after the arrival of your baby, you may have periods of post partum blues. You may feel sad, cry for no apparent reason, feel very tired, or have poor concentration.
Post partum blues are common and may happen for a variety of reasons:
- Hormonal changes
- Lack of sleep
- Disappointment
- Lack of confidence in your new role as a mother
- Changes in your relationships
- Trying to do too much too soon
You may:
- Feel a little sad
- Cry for no clear reason
- Be impatient and irritable, sometimes for no clear reason
- Feel restless and anxious
- Have poor concentration
- Feel sensitive
- Feel tired and/or have trouble sleeping
- Have mood swings (e.g. joy to sadness, laughing to crying)
These symptoms can last for 2-3 weeks. They will gradually improve as mom gets more sleep and hormone levels come back to balance. It helps to talk to someone who can support you. This may be your partner, your friends, your Public Health Nurse, or your healthcare provider.
In the first few weeks, remember to take care of yourself by:
- Resting when baby sleeps
- Saying no to the demands of others
- Asking for and accepting help
- Deciding how many visitors you want to have and when
- Taking some time for yourself to do the things you find relaxing, even for short amounts of time
- Eating regular, healthy meals
- Talking to someone if you feel like crying
Post partum depression/anxiety
Post Partum Depression or Anxiety affects approximately 10 – 24% of women and up to 10% of men. It can occur any time up to one year after giving birth. It can affect the relationship between a parent and their babies, their partners and their entire family. Any parent can develop postpartum depression, whether this is their first child or not.
If you are having any of the following feelings, thoughts or behaviours after the arrival of your baby, you may be experiencing Post Partum Depression and/or Anxiety:
Depression Symptoms:
- Feeling sad
- Feeling like you aren’t good enough, like a bad parent or a failure
- Not feeling pleasure
- Often feeling close to tears or crying for no reason
- Feeling angry, agitated or irritable
- Frequent mood changes or swings
- Feeling overly concerned about your baby’s health
- Fear of being alone or going out
- Not enjoying or being interested in usual activities
- Having trouble concentrating
- Feeling exhausted/tired, having troubles sleeping or sleeping too much or nightmares
- Changes in appetite (eating too much or not eating)
- Don’t feel like doing anything (unmotivated)
- Trouble coping with day-to-day activities
- Withdrawing from social contact, family and friends
- Not looking after self
- Having thoughts about harming yourself, or wanting to escape everything
- Unable to be reassured by others
Anxiety Symptoms:
- Always worried about your health or the health of your baby
- Always feeling restless, irritable or on the edge, but not knowing why
- Not being able to rest or sleep
- Finding it hard to relax and/or taking a long time to fall asleep
- Unable to be reassured by others
- Developing overly strict routines and constant planning (e.g. making lists, record keeping) that affects your day to day life and upsets you if not followed
- Having to do things over and over (e.g. checking that the house is locked)
- Having panic attacks – episodes of extreme fear and panic that are overwhelming and difficult to bring under control (heart palpitations, shortness of breath, tense muscles, “tight chest”, hot or cold flashes, sweating, nausea and dizziness)
If you have any of these feelings, contact your healthcare provider, midwife or Public Health Nurse. For other suggestions, call the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642