There’s a reason babies are called “bundles of joy.” Families love welcoming new lives into their homes. But it’s normal for the birth of a child to come with stress, anxiety, and even depression.

As many as 85% of new mothers will experience postpartum blues. These are largely due to hormonal changes. Mothers will be anxious one minute, happy the next, then crying soon after that. These mood swings typically disappear after hormones adjust.

For one in five moms, the symptoms persist and sometimes become more severe. That is when it is time to seek treatment for postpartum depression.

What to Look For

People hear the word “depression” — even when it’s preceded by the word “postpartum” — and instantly think of sadness. But there’s more to it than that.

Symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Anger and irritability
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Harmful thoughts, including thoughts of hurting the baby

New parents, especially moms are also getting very little sleep, which can make these symptoms worse. It’s important to seek help as postpartum depression is easily treatable.

Other Disorders

Postpartum depression is just one of several disorders related to childbirth and pregnancy. Family history is the most common risk factor associated with these disorders. They are:

• Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety — Around 6% of pregnant women develop anxiety, while 10% develop it after childbirth. They can have it by itself, or it sometimes accompanies depression. Symptoms include:
  • Constant worry
  • Racing thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Restlessness
  • Dizziness
  • Hot flashes
  • Nausea
• Pregnancy or postpartum OCD — Between 3% and 5% of new mothers and some new fathers develop this disorder around childbirth despite never being diagnosed with obsessive or compulsive behavior before. A family history of OCD is a common risk factor. Symptoms include:
  • Obsessive, repetitive thoughts about the baby
  • Compulsive actions like continually cleaning or checking on the baby constantly
  • Hypervigilance
  • Being horrified by these obsessions
• Postpartum psychosis — This is extremely rare when compared with the number of mothers who develop postpartum depression or anxiety. Psychosis only occurs in one or two out of every 1,000 births, or 0.1% to 0.2%. Symptoms include:
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Hyperactivity
  • Paranoia
  • Rapid mood swings

Those at greatest risk are new mothers who have family members with bipolar disorder or previous psychotic episodes. Research suggests women who develop postpartum psychosis have a 5% suicide rate and a 4% infanticide rate. A person with postpartum psychosis is having a break from reality so it is vital for family members to call a doctor or an emergency crisis line immediately.

• Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder — Around 9% of women experience PTSD following childbirth, which is caused by a real or perceived trauma. These include:
  • The baby going to the intensive care unit
  • Feelings of powerlessness or lack of support during delivery
  • Hemorrhaging
  • Perineal tears
  • Previous trauma
  • Prolapsed cord
  • Unplanned C section

This is treatable with professional care. It is important for the mother to know they are not to blame for whatever happened to them. Friends and family must be supportive. That is part of the healing process.

Here Throughout Your Pregnancy

AltaMed offers a wide range of support for expectant mothers, their babies, and children. Our licensed social workers speak English and Spanish and can connect you with vital services so you can find support you need as a new parent.

Our Behavioral Health specialists can also help you get through those times that may feel overwhelming, providing short-term mental health support. We can also link you with mental health services if you need long-term care.

Call us today at (855) 425-1777 to learn more about our services.

Call 988 if you are in crisis.