Wed 3 Dec 2008 | You are here: Home > Your life > Relationships > The baby blues
left col

How many Christmas parties will you be going to?


Disclaimer

The material contained on these pages is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or advice and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you're worried, see your GP.
The baby blues
  • The baby blues

  • Is it normal and can it turn into post-natal depression?

You’ll probably be on a high immediately after giving birth.

The sheer joy of having your beautiful baby in your arms, raised hormone levels, even the after-effects of any drugs left in your body from the birth may all help make you feel you’re riding the crest of a wave.

For most new mums, those feelings of achievement and relief that it all went OK will subside within a couple of days.

What many women find themselves left with then is a sense of deflation, a feeling of ‘is this it then?’, tiredness, flatness and even weepiness.

This is known as the baby blues, and around half to two-thirds of all new mothers experience it three or four days after giving birth.

Doctors believe it is probably caused by the large and rapid changes in female hormone levels following pregnancy and birth.

The baby blues tends to sort itself out and does not usually require any specific treatment other than reassurance and support.

More serious is post-natal depression (PND), which is a recognised medical condition and occurs in some 10-15% of new mums.

Symptoms can include the following: depression; irritability; fatigue; sleeplessness; lack of appetite; anxiety; inability to cope; lack of interest in anything.

PND can be treated, so do visit your GP or speak to your midwife if you suspect you or a close friend may be suffering.

Read more about PND on our sister site www.netdoctor.co.uk

Click HERE for more information about PND on babyexpert. Support groups include the Association for Postnatal Illness.


Will I know if my baby is breech?

Q: My friend had to haev an emergency C-section because her baby was found to be breech once she...

So proud of my no epidural birth

Katie endured two days' hard labour - but would do it all again...

The birth was wonderful!

Danielle was terrified of labour, but baby Macie arrived quickly and easily in the end....

Show all articles on this topic.

  • Hi Girls,

  • hi girlies and bumps i've doen all the washing and ironing for my little guy, everything is...
  • Posted by waterbaby 03 Dec 2008 09:09PM
  • breast pump - which?

  • I didn't get one before Faye was born as wanted to make sure I'd be ok with feeding.... I would...
  • Posted by MrsT 03 Dec 2008 09:08PM
  • My scan!! With pic.

  • Thanks ladies, I am so pleased. The baby was 6.6cm NewMrsB and they put me at 12+5, xx
  • Posted by mrs...d 03 Dec 2008 09:08PM
  • spent all day in A & E - MY POOR...

  • just gatecrashing from due in dec to say hope your hubby is ok and you have managed to see him....
  • Posted by millysmum=... 03 Dec 2008 09:08PM
CONTACT | FAQ | PRIVACY | TERMS & CONDITIONS | ADVERTISERS | TOP
The National Magazine Company Ltd. © Copyright 2008
SEARCH OUR NETWORK: All About You :: Baby Expert :: Cosmopolitan :: Get Lippy :: Handbag :: Harper's Bazaar :: Men's Health :: Net Doctor :: Runner's World :: You & Your Wedding