Pregnancy, birth and having a baby is a time of exponential growth that can often trigger intense emotional responses from happiness and joy, to fear and anxiety.  Sleep deprivation, hormonal fluctuations and new responsibilities paired with unrealistic expectations of parenthood all play a role in our postpartum mental health.  ​At Roots Family Collaborative, we believe all families should be supported on their journey from pregnancy to parenting. 
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Read on to learn more. If you would like to talk to someone from Roots about how you are feeling who may help point you in the direction of getting the support you need to feel like yourself again, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. 
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What are the Baby Blues?

The Baby Blues are a normal part of your transition to having a new baby. Up to 80% of new mothers will experience the Baby Blues. The Baby Blues can last up to 2-3 weeks after birth and usually the symptoms disappear on their own. 
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 Symptoms of the Baby Blues may include:

• Feeling let down
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Impatience
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Anxiety

​Even though the Baby Blues is relatively short-lived, it can be a very intense period for a new mother.  It is important to always reach out and let someone know you how are feeling.  No one was meant to parent alone. There is no shame in admitting things are hard for you.  Support during the postpartum period is NOT a luxury, it is a necessary part of growing a family. ​

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What is Postpartum Depression and how do I know if I have it? 

Postpartum Depression is the umbrella term for a range of mood disorders that can present during or after childbirth. Professionals usually refer to this range as Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Perinatal is the term that defines pregnancy and the first year postpartum.  

Postpartum Depression is the NUMBER ONE COMPLICATION FOLLOWING CHILDBIRTH.  1 in 7 women will suffer from a form of depression during pregnancy or after the birth of a child.  That's roughly 800,000 moms each year.  Not only do mothers suffer, but partners suffer as well --  1 in 10 dads will suffer from a form of postpartum depression.

It is important that new parents understand that postpartum depression does not always look like our imagined version of depression, think weepiness, inability to get out of bed, etc..  PPD can range from mild to severe and can present in a number of ways.  When depressive symptoms dominate, we refer to it as postpartum depression. When anxiety symptoms dominate we call it a postpartum anxiety disorder, and included in postpartum anxiety disorders are postpartum panic, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, and postpartum post traumatic stress disorder.   

Here are some common questions that can help you start the conversation with yourself, your partner, and your care provider if you are just not feeling like yourself: 
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• Are you feeling sad or depressed?
• Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?
• Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?
• Do you feel anxious or panicky?
• Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?
• Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind?
• Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?
• Do you feel like you never should have become a mother?
• Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

Signs and Symptoms of a PMAD:
Feelings of inadequacy 
Confusion
Loss of appetite
Difficulty in focusing
Excessive worry 
Easily irritated
Trouble falling asleep
Trouble staying asleep
Sleeping too much
Sadness
​Mental fog
Rage
Lack of sexual desire
​Negative or scary thoughts

If you or your partner are experiencing symptoms after the birth of your baby, it is important that you let your health care provider know.  You are not alone. You are not to blame, and with help you will feel like yourself again.
Click here for more in-depth information about postpartum depression, including how to help yourself feel better. 

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What if I feel anxious and worried but not sad ? 

Some women do not feel sad and depressed, rather they feel very anxious and worried.  Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety are temporary and can be treated with appropriate professional help.  

Some people describe postpartum anxiety like this: 

• intense anxiety or fear
• constant worry
• rapid heart rate
• sense of overwhelming dread
• loss of appetite
• chest pain
• shakiness or dizziness
• racing thoughts 
• irritability 
• insomnia  

Postpartum Anxiety Disorders include, Postpartum Panic Disorder, Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Postpartum Panic Disorder can look like this:

• shortness of breath/chest pain
• claustrophobia
• dizziness
• heart palpitations
• numbness and tingling in the extremities. 

Please know that postpartum panic attacks will pass and will not hurt you.  If you or your partner is experiencing symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider and know you are not to blame for feeling this way. Reaching out for help is the first step to feeling like yourself again. 

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What if I am having scary thoughts? 

Intrusive thoughts often feel scary and out of character for a mother. These scary or intrusive thoughts can be fleeting or constant, involve your baby, your partner or yourself and may be accompanied by compulsive behaviors.  If you are having thoughts of hurting your baby, your partner or yourself,  it is very unlikely that you will act upon these thoughts as they are only thoughts. They are NOT urges or desires.  Having these types of thoughts does not mean you are a bad mother.  These thoughts are NOT about who you are -- they are symptoms and can be treated with the appropriate support. More info on scary thoughts can be found here. 

Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can look like this:

• anxiety
• depression
• repetitive behavior
• excessive cleaning
• intrusive, repetitive thoughts (possibly even thoughts of harming the baby and/or self)
• avoiding the baby and/or other people, along with negative stimuli such as intense or scary movies or TV programs, bad news or stories, to alleviate intrusive thoughts.

If you or your partner is experiencing these symptoms, please reach out to your healthcare provider.  You are not to blame for feeling this way and with the appropriate support, you will feel like yourself again. 

Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can look like this:

• intrusive re-experiening of a past event, which could be the birth itself
• flashbacks or nightmares
• avoidance of people, places, feelings associated with the event
• anxiety and panic attacks
• increased irritability, difficulty sleeping, exaggerated startle response

Approximately 9% of women will experience postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. Most often, this illness is caused by a real or perceived trauma during delivery or postpartum. 

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What is Postpartum Psychosis?

Postpartum Psychosis is the most rare, yet the most severe postpartum condition that is often misdiagnosed as postpartum depression. Postpartum Psychosis only occurs in about 1 out of 1,000 postpartum women and is often associated with bipolar illness. The most common symptoms are:

• severe agitation
• delusional or bizarre thinking
• hallucinations
• insomnia
• confusion
• a feeling of being out of touch with reality

Although Postpartum Psychosis is a rare condition, it is always an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. If you or your partner are experiencing any of these symptoms or feel as you may harm yourself or your baby, please reach out to your healthcare provider, go to the Emergency Room or call The Help Center at 406-586-3333.