iS PoStnAtAL dEPrESSion thE
SAME AS BABy BLuES?
The answer is no.
The first few days, weeks and months
after giving birth is a period of physical
and psychological stress for both the
new mother and father. the mother will
probably feel it most, and almost half of
all mothers experience a short period of
sadness or moodiness a couple of days
after giving birth. this is both healthy and
natural.
holding a new-born baby in your arms is
probably one of the happiest moments in
the life of any parent.
it is such a relief after so many months of
waiting.
the hardship of the pregnancy and the
pain of delivery are forgotten for a while as
the parent cuddles the tiny new arrival and
feels some sense of tranquility.
But most women will experience a period
when they feel insecure, vulnerable, sad
or anxious. the enormous responsibility of
suddenly having a new baby to care for
can make a new mother feel afraid and
inadequate. Mood swings are common. it
is possible to feel elated one moment and
tearful, tired and irritable the next. this can
be frightening too, not knowing what is
happening and why these feelings arise.
on the fourth day after the baby is born, it
is common for the baby blues to sink in and
for the mothers to find themselves crying for
no particular reason. this can happen at
any time within the first week after the birth
and usually passes in a day or two as long as
the mother has had a chance to rest and is
ready for her new world.
CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION?
7
