Medically reviewed by Dr. Unsa Mohsin.
You may find yourself asking questions like, “Am I a bad mother if I want to harm my own child?”, “Why am I not inclined towards my own baby?” or “I never knew motherhood could feel so empty”. What is the real deal about this surge of emotions that one might feel?
Baby blues – mood swings or more?
You welcome a lot of responsibilities when you welcome a child into this world, and you are not alone. Did you know that 15% of women all over the globe go through postpartum depression nearing the birth of their child? But what is it about?
In general, postpartum depression, or ‘baby blues’, can make a new mother go through persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, running low on energy, and her overall will to live. You can be feeling multiple emotions at one time and nothing at all at other times. It starts soon after giving birth and may last to a few days or weeks.
What are the signs?
The signs can be both emotional and behavioral.
Emotional signs include:
- Feeling of emptiness
- Frequent exhaustion and low self-worth
- Irritability and frustration
- Lack of inclination towards the baby
- Mood swings
As for the behavioral signs, one can feel:
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Sudden bouts of crying
- Declined interest in everyday activities
- The urge to either harm the baby or oneself
What to do?
If you find yourself struggling with postpartum depression, do not panic. There is a lot that can be done to make you feel better.
Go easy on yourself
Put an end to the self-loathe that you surround yourself with. Trust yourself, believe that you can, and you will get out of this feeling.
Who’s got your back?
Have a family member or a loved one with you. When all else fails, there’s family and friends who can help you in taking care of the baby while you work on yourself.
Exercise
Although you might hate it at first, a having a little amount of exercise can do you wonders. Consult your doctor for the exercises that you can do.
Give your mind a breath of fresh air through therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the pep talk that you need. Consult a professional and you will notice a change in your behavior within no time.
Medication
If nothing else works, your doctor may prescribe you SSRI’s or antidepressants. Another option includes a hormonal therapy which can calm down the emotional storm going inside you. Motherhood is not an easy ride, but now that you are on it, you will get to the other end. Sit back, and relax, and let the new world unfold between your eyes. Good luck!
Guest Post Credit: Dr. Faryal Zaidi
