The postpartum period is very delicate for a woman who can experience two different situations:
- the baby blues (an emotional instability;
- postpartum depression (to be considered a real depressive state).
Most mothers experience the so-called 'baby blues', i.e. an emotional instability that affects the woman immediately after childbirth, in the days after childbirth even up to a few weeks after childbirth, and which normally disappears after a couple of weeks. The woman feels:
- sad for no reason;
- irritable;
- easy to cry;
- not up to the tasks ahead of her.
This is not a pathological state and there is no need for a structured therapeutic intervention (pharmacological or psychotherapeutic), because this state of discomfort tends to return spontaneously in a short time (as we said, about two weeks).
Epidemiological studies conducted in different countries and cultures show that 10-15% of women who give birth, on the other hand, experience a real depressive state that does not tend to disappear spontaneously.
Postpartum depression affects, with varying degrees of severity, between 7 and 12% of new mothers and generally begins between the 6th and 12th week after the birth of the child, with episodes typically lasting between 2 and 6 months. Some of the symptoms may be:
- a persistent state of unwarranted sadness, anxiety, restlessness or lack of energy (unstable mood)
- sudden, unmotivated crying
- difficulty sleeping at night and daytime sleepiness;
- difficulty concentrating and making decisions;
- thoughts of harming one's infant.
Preventing and treating depression
It is scientifically proven that depression is a preventable disorder, so it is extremely important to recognise and treat this disorder, which otherwise could interfere with a woman's ability to establish an interchange of behaviour and emotions with her baby and with attachment, capable of preventing long-term negative consequences on the child's cognitive, social and emotional development.
So, dear new mother, if you feel sad or inadequate, it is normal but do not hesitate to contact your doctor for help because recognising the problem and intervening early helps both you and your baby.
And remember: your partner is beside you and can be a valuable ally!