Do You Have Baby Blues, Or Something More Serious? – By Dr. Meghan McNaughton

Have you had a baby in the last year? Do you often feel overwhelmed, irritable, or down?

In light of mental health week, I would like to bring awareness to the mental-emotional

struggles many new mothers face.

 

Post-partum blues and post-partum depression can have a serious impact on the health of

mom and baby. It can interfere with mother-child bonding and can leave mom feeling

confused, guilty, and even ashamed. I am here to let you know that you are not alone and

there are many ways we can help!

 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POST-PARTUM BLUES AND

DEPRESSION?

POST-PARTUM BLUES affects 80% of women and usually happens 3-4 days after giving

birth. It is caused by the sudden drop in progesterone and estrogen levels, leading to mood

fluctuations, tearfulness, anxiety, fatigue, and poor memory. The post-partum blues

generally resolve within 10-14 days of delivery once hormones stabilize.

 

POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION on the other hand, affects 10-15% of women and occurs

anywhere from 3 weeks to 12 months after birth. It shares many of the same symptoms of

depression, including low mood, little enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities, changes in

sleep or appetite, fatigue, low libido, irritability, hopelessness, and even suicidality. Some

mothers may distance themselves from the baby, while others become overly concerned

and anxious about the baby. Regardless of how post-partum depression presents, it is

important to seek help!

 

COMMON RISK FACTORS:

• Difficulty breastfeeding – while breastfeeding significantly decreases the risk of

  developing post-partum depression, breastfeeding challenges increase it. If

  breastfeeding isn’t going as smoothly as you’d imagined, a lactation consult can

  help with advice on baby-positioning and tips to increase success!

• Emergency delivery – because of the urgency of this scenario, mothers (and

  fathers) often feel a loss of control and are overwhelmed. They are unable to

  mentally prepare for the delivery and what would otherwise be a very joyful

  moment becomes one of the scariest! Counselling around birth trauma is

  important so that parents can understand and accept what happened. This is

  especially important if the couple plans on having more children.

• History of depression – if a woman has a history of depression, it is important

  to implement tools for prevention. See below for tips on how to do this.

• History of childhood abuse – counselling may be an important part of healing if

  there is a history of abuse, as raising a child can often trigger memories from the

  past.

• Stress – while not entirely avoidable, marital, financial, or other life stressors can

  increase the risk of post-partum depression. Support and stress-management

  are crucial for improving your overall sense of wellbeing.

 

HOW NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE CAN HELP:

• Decreases isolation – talking about your concerns and truly being heard

• Promotes a healthy lifestyle – to improve nutrition, sleep, and mental-emotional

  wellness

• Stress support – there are many nutrients and herbs that help the body to better

  cope with physical and mental stress

• Acupuncture – this helps address the underlying cause to improve hormone

  balance, promote relaxation, while addressing secondary concerns you may

  have

• Individualized care – depression is just a label; we address the whole person

• Safety with supplements – there are several herbs and supplements that are

  not safe during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. It is important to have guidance

  through this process!

 

WHEN TO SEEK HELP – while post-partum depression cannot be diagnosed until at least

2-3 weeks after delivery, always seek medical attention if you suspect something is wrong.

Being proactive and implementing a wellness strategy are key in preventing and treating

post-partum mental health!

Parent Talk Line – speak to a public health nurse in Niagara

• https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/parenting/talk-line.aspx

• 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7555 – Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30

  p.m.

 

Get back to feeling yourself so that you can truly be there for your family and new

baby! Taking care of yourself is the first step in getting well.

For healthcare that is specific to your needs, come see us at Health Over All!

 

In wellness,

Dr Meghan