The baby blues and postnatal depression

Many mothers feel tearful, anxious or irritable in the first days after the birth. This is called the baby blues. It is very common and usually passes within 2 weeks. If the feelings last longer, get worse or you are struggling to cope, it may be postnatal depression. It is common, it is not your fault, and it can be treated.

The baby blues

In the days after the birth you may cry for no reason and feel tired, unsure or fragile. Hormones, tiredness and a huge change in your life all play a part. Rest, help from the people close to you and talking about how you feel all help. If you do not feel better after 2 weeks, talk to a doctor.

Signs of postnatal depression

• sadness or low mood that does not lift
• no longer enjoying things, or losing interest in the world around you
• feeling hopeless, or as if you cannot cope
• feeling guilty or worthless
• anxiety, restlessness or irritability
• trouble sleeping, even when your baby sleeps
• trouble concentrating
• finding it hard to bond with your baby
• thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

It can start in pregnancy, soon after the birth, or up to a year later. Fathers and partners can get it too.

What helps

Postnatal depression usually gets better within 3 to 6 months, and it gets better sooner with treatment. The most common treatments are:

• talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, with a psychologist
• antidepressants, if your doctor recommends them. Many can be taken while breastfeeding, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Small things help too: accept the help you are offered, sleep when you can, eat regularly, get outside a little each day and tell someone you trust how you feel.

When to get help

Talk to your family doctor, gynaecologist or your baby’s paediatrician if you think you might have postnatal depression, even if you only have some of the signs. Asking for help does not make you a bad mother. It means you are looking after yourself and your baby.

Get help straight away, at emergency care or by calling emergency services (127 in Albania), if:

• you have thoughts of ending your life or of harming yourself or your baby
• you, or someone close to you, notice sudden changes: confusion, hearing or seeing things that are not there, strange beliefs, a very high mood, or very little sleep without feeling tired

Those last signs can mean postpartum psychosis, a rare but urgent condition that can be treated. If you know someone with these signs, do not leave them alone and get help straight away.

Sources we consulted

• NHS: Postnatal depression

Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor or psychologist. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.