Mood Disorder
Women commonly feel exhilarated and have difficulty resting or sleeping in the first few days following childbirth. You may find yourself reliving the birth experience and trying to understand the sequence of events leading up to your baby’s birth especially if you feel it did not happen according to your expectations. When alone at home, the 24-hour-a-day responsibility of caring for a baby may make you feel overwhelmed which can trigger strong emotions like irritability, crying easily or anxiety. These symptoms characterize a mood disorder often called the “Baby Blues.” Over 80% of women experience these symptoms to some degree:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Crying
- Reduced concentration
- Appetite problems
- Trouble sleeping
These symptoms should be acknowledged as real and valid but thankfully they are temporary and may last anywhere from few days to a few weeks and set in at some point during the first 6 weeks. Often easier said than done, but getting sleep and rest, reducing household or work demands, concentrating only on self and baby care, and getting help with infant feeding, if needed, all help diminish your stress level.
