Postpartum Depression

Q. How do I know if I have the mommy blues or Postpartum Depression?

A. Mommy Blues and Postpartum are very real things that can occur after pregnancy. A woman’s hormone level drops rapidly within 24hrs of birth. Doctors take this very seriously, as should friends and family members.  A doctor is going to ask you a serious of questions to decide if you have postpartum. If you answer yes to the following you may want to contact your OBGYN.
•    Feeling restless or irritable.
•    Feeling sad, depressed or crying a lot.
•    Having no energy.
•    Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart being fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), numbness, or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing).
•    Not being able to sleep or being very tired, or both.
•    Not being able to eat and weight loss.
•    Overeating and weight gain.
•    Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions.
•    Being overly worried about the baby.
•    Not having any interest in the baby.
•    Feeling worthless and guilty.
•    Being afraid of hurting the baby or yourself.
•    No interest or pleasure in activities, including sex.

If you answered yes to some of these questions you may just be experiencing mommy blues. Mommy Blues are common. They should not last longer than two weeks after birth.  Relying on friends and family is the best medicine.  Sleep, nutrition, and security will help you recover during this time.
I hope this information gives you  some comfort. If you read this and still feel like your situation is bad. Call your OBGYN and make an appointment right away. There is no need to suffer. Be well.