Best Way to Cope with Postpartum Blues

About 70 to 80 percent of new mothers experience what’s often called “postpartum blues.”1 This can last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, and sometimes will occur one to two months after giving birth. Researchers believe that it’s caused by a combination of fatigue and the rapidly changing hormone levels in the body. Symptoms of postpartum blues include:

•  Feeling sad or lonely
•  Crying easily
•  Mood swings such as happiness and then fear, or sadness and then anger
•  Restlessness, irritability, or anxiousness about everything

•  Feeling overwhelmed
•  Having doubts about how well you’re caring for your newborn
•  Feeling generally unsatisfied

If you get the blues, you might be astonished that you don’t feel completely satisfied about being a mother or about the beautiful baby in front of you. Many times it’s because you’re expecting too much of yourself too soon. However, be forewarned that your partner and friends may be puzzled and seem unsympathetic if they find you cry­ing over what seems to be trivial matters.

Though scientists point to fatigue and hormones for these baby blues, there may be other factors at work. For one thing, you have just completed a major change in your life, and individuals respond to change differently. You now have a new life with new requirements and new expectations. You literally have a new appearance and a new relationship with your partner. Letting go of the old you may be harder than you thought.

Secondly, no one quite realizes how much work a new baby is until they have one, and by then, of course, there’s no going back. It’s under­standable that you may feel trapped in a new role that at times seems overwhelming. In addition, the fatigue and hormonal changes can magnify underlying problems such as the lack of support from family or friends, a difficult, colicky baby, a fearful partner, or unexpected dif­ficulties with breast-feeding.

It’s easy to feel disappointed that gracefully juggling being a mother, wife, and accomplished individual isn’t a snap. For the most part, these blues are normal and will fade with time and rest. In the meanwhile, if you or your partner notices that you’re unhappy or blue, try the following:

•  Let your partner and others know what’s going on with you and when you have these feelings.
•  Get more rest. This may mean letting the housecleaning go, being late on thank-you notes for the baby gifts, and eating fro­zen dinners or takeout food more often. If letting things go adds to your stress, try telling yourself that this lowering of your stan­dards is temporary or get help from family and friends.

•  Eat healthy meals, without alcohol or other depressants, or stim­ulants.
•  Get out of the house at least once a day and be around others.
•  Take time for yourself. Even a half an hour to soak in the tub or polish your nails will refresh you.
•  Watch a comedy on TV or listen to one on the radio—laughter is a great mood enhancer.
•  Contact hotlines and support groups to get the help you need.
•  Let your doctor know if you’re not getting better or if you’re feel­ing worse.