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It’s not baby blues, and it’s not postpartum depression.
Postpartum anxiety affects about 10 percent of new mothers, yet not many talk about it. A new mother knows when something feels off, but even doctors tend to think it’s just baby blues or treat it as postpartum depression. Postpartum anxiety is neither. However, it can turn into serious medical issues if left untreated.
Having a newborn at home is like being on a roller coaster all the time. At the same time, the body is readjusting; hormones are playing tricks on new moms, and getting enough sleep is impossible. But there are many blissful moments when you hold your newborn and feel like you got the world at your feet. What if you are always on alert, and you never get to experience that peace?
A moderate amount of new fears and worries is reasonable and expected. However, if you are feeling worried or scared all the time, if you cannot eat or sleep, it might be postpartum anxiety you are dealing with. It doesn’t happen to first-time moms only; every pregnancy is different, and so is postpartum.
Unlike PPD, which can cause mothers to experience severe sadness or even disinterest in their newborn, postpartum anxiety symptoms manifest themselves mainly in the form of worry. It’s not something that appears overnight. Postpartum anxiety usually stars during pregnancy and gets worse once the child is born. Most new moms know their worries are irrational. However, that is what makes anxiety so annoying: it makes you rethink your sanity. You are caught up in a circle of hot flashes, panic, always feeling on edge, and that’s just a part of it. Many new moms tend to think, “It’s just temporary,” and it is, but in many cases, it turns into a general anxiety disorder or OCD if left untreated.
Baby blues lasts around two weeks, and it is a natural response to not being pregnant after nine months. If you notice you’re overwhelmed with worry, inform your ob-gyn or pediatrician and ask for a referral to a therapist who has experience with perinatal mood. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness exercises will help any postpartum issue, but it is always best to speak to the doctor.
Postpartum anxiety is common, and hormones, additional stress, or family history can trigger it. It’s nothing shameful, but it is draining your energy, and every new mother deserves to enjoy her baby. Postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression will try to make it almost impossible. Luckily, both conditions are manageable, and going to the therapist isn’t a defeat. It’s you, taking your life into your hands.