Emotions After Birth

Your hormones change after giving birth. You may be tired from being awake with your baby at night. Caring for your new baby can be stressful. At times you may feel moody, sad, or depressed.

Blues often start on day 3 after giving birth. The blues may come and go for 10 days to 2 weeks.

Common signs of the blues:

• Crying without knowing why
• Feeling grumpy
• Worrying about your baby or being a good mother
• Having trouble sleeping

Signs of postpartum depression may be the same as the blues. But the signs last longer than 2 weeks and get worse. Parental Stress line of Massachusetts: 800.632.8188

Common signs of postpartum depression:

• Feeling very sad or badly about yourself
• Sleeping all day or having trouble sleeping
• Not wanting to eat
• Worrying so much that you cannot think of anything else
• Not wanting to care for yourself or your baby
• Having panic attacks (heart beats quickly, throat feels tight, sweaty palms, shortness of breath)
• Feeling like you want to hurt yourself or your baby
• Rarely, seeing or hearing things that are not there (psychosis) It is not your fault that you feel depressed. Changing hormones after giving birth cause depression in some women. Counseling and medicine can help postpartum depression. Talk to your provider to learn more about treatment. With help, you will feel better.