The challenges associated with pregnancy don't really end once the child is born, after all, how can bring a new life to the world be so easy! A new mom can take a few weeks (or a few months) to recover from changes and challenges she faces throughout the course of pregnancy and beyond. When we talk about the post-birth challenges, baby blues and postpartum depression is something that affects around 80% of mothers. Well, it is a normal health condition and usually fades in a week or two. But, moms need to realize when such symptoms occur so that it can be treated timely and effectively before it reaches to severity!

Knowing the symptoms!

What signs do you need to catch? Here are some!

What can you call baby blues?

·         Mood swings

·         Irritation and Anxiety

·         Sadness

·         Feeling overwhelmed

·         Crying

·         Low concentration

·         Appetite problems

What can you call symptoms of postpartum depression?

·         When you feel helpless and hopeless

·         Multiple mood swings and feeling of depression

·         Being afraid that you aren't a good mother

·         Difficulty in connecting with your baby

·         When you keep family and friends at bay

·         When you feel restless and cry too much

·         When you feel worthless or guilty

Important note!

Moms! You don't need to worry after knowing these symptoms or if any of the above sounds familiar to you! Remember, both baby blues and postpartum depression are not a mom's character, weakness or illness, it is simply a complication that moms may need to go through after giving birth!

How can this condition be treated?

Depression in new moms is caused by emotional and stressful events or physical changes that can lead to imbalance of brain chemicals. If you find these symptoms lasting longer than a week or two, or you feel the condition is severe, it is advisable to connect with your doctor and consult! Some possible treatments include:

You can be given medication

Doctors (after analyzing the condition) can prescribe antidepressant medicines to new moms. Antidepressants can help in balancing the chemicals in the brain and also tune the adversely affected mood. These medications can help in dealing with different feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and sleeplessness.

There is a downside of antidepressant as it can pass to infants through breastmilk, ask your doctor to prescribe safe medications to deal with such health conditions.

Psychological therapies can work!

For some new moms, psychological therapies can work wonders, especially when symptoms are mild. Studies suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help in multiple ways to deal with postpartum depression or baby blues. In such treatments, moms are taught to establish a connection between her feelings, emotions, mind, and thoughts so as to establish a balance and find the right party.

In severe cases when self-confidence in moms is low, taking only psychological therapy may not be a good option.

Studies suggest that the best results can be obtained when medication and psychological treatment are combined.

Final words!

If you are a new mom and you are experiencing baby blues or postpartum depression, it is advisable to consult your doctor and get the right treatment so that you can improve the quality of your life, and enjoy with your family and the little one to the fullest!