What to Do About Depressed Moods After Childbirth

Bringing a new baby into your family can be exciting and joyful. But for many new moms, a child's birth brings something unexpected, too: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and depression that can be signs of something more serious — a type of depression called postpartum depression or PPD.

Temika Heyward, PhD, FNP, CRNP, PMH, and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health provide compassionate, skilled treatment for depression, including PPD. Here, learn more about PPD and how to tell when it's time to schedule a visit with our team.

The postpartum period: Emotional challenges

Most people understand that pregnancy causes many changes to a woman's body. Morning sickness, swollen ankles, back pain, indigestion, and a growing belly provide visible evidence of some of those changes. But hormone levels change, too, and those changes can impact your emotions, especially during the postpartum period, the time right after a baby's birth.

During the weeks immediately following birth, hormone levels change rapidly to bring a woman's body back to its pre-pregnancy state. Coupled with the demands of new motherhood, it's not uncommon for women to feel a range of emotions during the postpartum period, including sadness and a sense of being overwhelmed.

Data show as many as 80% of new moms experience emotional challenges in the first couple of weeks after delivery — a condition so common, it's earned the nickname of the "baby blues." For these women, emotional challenges are temporary, resolving within a couple of weeks as her hormone levels return to normal and she and her baby "settle in" to their new routine.

But sometimes, the emotional upheaval continues, causing prolonged and worsening symptoms that can take a serious toll on your emotional wellness and your physical health, too. In these instances, it's important to call the office immediately so you can be evaluated and treated for PPD.

Help for emotional challenges

While PPD isn't nearly as common as the baby blues, it still affects nearly 13% of new moms. And like other types of depression, it responds well to therapy, particularly when therapy is sought early.

Seeking treatment depends greatly on knowing what signs and symptoms to look for. Typically, moms with PPD experience some (or all) of these symptoms:

Persistent and pervasive feelings of depression or sadness most days
Feelings of shame, guilt, or failure
Persistent or regular feelings of panic or intense anxiety
Mood swings
Constant feelings of fatigue
Difficulties sleeping or sleeping more than usual
Changes in appetite or eating patterns
Problems concentrating and staying on task
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Feeling “numb” or unable to feel joy or other emotions

In more severe cases, PPD can lead to thoughts about self-harm or harm toward your baby, symptoms that require emergency medical attention.

Researchers believe PPD may be caused by a combination of factors, including hormonal changes or a genetic predisposition that makes clinical depression more likely. A personal history of depression during or before pregnancy increases your risk of PPD.

There is help

PPD can be managed in much the same way as major depressive disorder, with therapy typically involving medication to stabilize “mood hormones” combined with psychotherapy aimed at eliminating negative thought processes.

Our team offers patient-centered PPD treatment, developing customized therapy plans for each woman's specific needs, symptoms, and lifestyle challenges. We also offer a "safe place" to discuss your feelings and concerns, helping you overcome feelings of failure or shame that may feel overwhelming and inescapable.

Regular check-ins with our team ensure your plan stays on track while providing you with ongoing support to help improve your health and quality of life. We can even recommend support groups to help you connect with moms who understand what you're going through.

We’re here for you

Remember: PPD is a real medical condition that does not reflect on your abilities as a mom or your love for your new baby. The key to feeling better is seeking professional help as soon as possible. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Heyward and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.