About 80% of new moms experience what is commonly known as the "baby blues”. If you have felt tearful, anxious, fearful, experienced rapidly shifting moods or feelings of being overly dependent, you may be experiencing this common adjustment to new motherhood. The "baby blues" are generally caused by your body’s normal adjustment after having a baby, lack of sleep and fluctuation in hormones.
If these feeling last for longer than 3 weeks, you may have what is known as a postpartum (after pregnancy) mood disorder (PPMD). These types of mood disorders are experienced by 1 in 5 new moms and often go undetected, but can have long lasting effects on the mother/child relationship and development of the child if left untreated. PPMDs are not the fault of any new mother, PPMDs occur due to hormonal changes, shifts in brain chemistry and life circumstances. The good news is that postpartum mood disorders are treatable and you, and your partner, don’t have to feel this way!
- Perinatal mood disorders can occur when you are pregnant and are similar to postpartum mood disorders.
- PPMDs can occur after any pregnancy, be it your first or your fifth child.
- PPMDs can become evident up to 1 year after your baby has been born.
You can reach me at:
166 Carmelito Avenue
Suite A
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 320-1596
Fax: (831) 657-0245
Office Hours by Appointment:
Monday - Thursday 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Symptoms of Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders:
- Feeling detached from your baby
- Having frightening thoughts about the baby
- Feeling as if you are on an emotional rollercoaster, mood swings
- Rapid weight gain or loss, appetite change
- Chronic crying, feeling very sad
- Feelings of anxiety or fear
- Feeling overly worried about your baby or yourself
- Thoughts abut harming your child, even if you know you never would.
- Suicidal thoughts (although rare, if you are having suicidal thoughts call your doctor immediately or call 911)
