postpartum depression versus baby blues symptoms

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They can feel very similar but besides the difference in how long postpartum depression lasts versus the baby blues, we also see a much longer list of symptoms for postpartum depression.

Symptoms of baby blues — which last only a few days to a week or two after your baby is born — may include:

  • Mood swings

  • Anxiety

  • Sadness

  • Irritability

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Crying

  • Reduced concentration

  • Appetite problems

  • Trouble sleeping

Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings

  • Crying too much

  • Difficulty bonding with your baby

  • Withdrawing from family and friends

  • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual

  • Inability to sleep or sleeping too much

  • Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy

  • Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

  • Intense irritability and anger

  • Fear that you're not a good mother

  • Hopelessness

  • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy

  • Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions

  • Restlessness

  • Severe anxiety and panic attacks

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

May Mothers

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May is Maternal Mental Health Month and Mother’s Day is this Sunday. This can be a good time to check in with how you are feeling as a mother and/or the mothers around you. Sunday can bring a mix of feelings for new moms and expectations around how the day “should” feel or “should” be spent. Think about how you want to spend the day and be accepting of whatever that is and communicate with your partner to avoid disappointment and hopefully get what you want from the day.

Dark Winter Days

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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is triggered by the changing seasons and reduced light exposure. We are slowly starting to warm up here in NY but it has been a long cold winter so far and we are just starting to have some longer days. Even if you do not have SAD, we can all benefit from some more sunshine. Even though it is cold, try to get outside during the day while the sun is still shining. For those suffering with SAD it is also worth considering a light box to start light therapy.

IV Ketamine for Postpartum Depression

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I recently attended an event by Ember Health around the use of IV Ketamine infusions for postpartum depression. I was able to hear from a former patient who had success after her first treatment. It is an interesting alternative to more traditional medications used. There is more to learn about this treatment but it seems they are getting some good results from the research they have done so far.

Benefits and Safety of Acetaminophen

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) President Dr. Stephen J.  Fleishman states that:  

“In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children.”

ACOG has also published FAQs on acetaminophen; read them HERE.