Coping with 'Baby Blues'

Causes of Postpartum Depressiondefine:
A previous life history of depression
A stressful relationship
Loneliness, not having a friend or confidante
A history of severe PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome)

If you are one of those nurturing the belief that having a baby will make life a picture of perfection, it's time you did a reality check.

Hundreds of television visuals centering on the happily ever after mother-baby scenario show happy babies at bath or bed time, with beautiful, blissful looking moms cooing to their young ones.

Bliss does come with a baby in your life, and it is indescribably beautiful when it comes. But before the bliss comes the turmoil, which, unfortunately, many women are not prepared for.

Pregnancy itself can be emotionally taxing. But things do not settle down instantly after childbirth. According to the website familydoctor.org, mood swings are common after the birth of a baby.

A new mother may be ecstatic one moment and breaking into tears the next. Some of the other symptoms include a loss of appetite, difficulty in concentrating and an inability to sleep even when the baby is asleep.

When does it Get Serious?
While women do feel insecure at the prospect of the huge change in their lives after the baby, they settle down in a few days. However, if the feelings linger for a few months, we are dealing with a case of postpartum depressiondefine.

One variation of this is the “postpartum psychosis,” where the symptoms of postpartum depression are compounded with destructive thoughts towards oneself and the baby. That is the time to seek immediate medical help.

How to Cope:
Try to rest whenever possible: Ask family members to handle the baby while you take a nap. There’s no need to feel guilty, you have your whole life to do errands for the child. This is the time to take a firm foothold on your life, for the sake of your baby as much as yourself.

Be prepared: You are going to have mood swings, which will aggravate with exhaustion. That does NOT make you a bad mother. You are only human.

Connect with others: Dealing with this alone is not a good idea. There are others who have gone down the same road. Talk to them, ask them how they coped, take advice.

Take time for yourself: Too much self-sacrificing will not necessarily make you a good mother. It will only pile up resentment and prolong recovery, which is bad for your little one as well. Spend some time alone every day. Do things you really love. Go on, cheer up!

Confide in your spouse: He won’t know what is wrong with you unless you tell him. In all probability, he is just as apprehensive about being a dad, and you being a bundle of nerves will not help. Tell him about it. Explain what postpartum depression is, how you feel right now and how he can help.

Take a walk: Not a brisk walk. With your body yet to heal, exertion may cause damage. Just stroll in a park, or wherever you like. That REALLY clears the head.

However, first you must stop crucifying yourself. The emotional roller coaster you are going through has been familiar to women since millennia, even though we have just started talking about it. Your hormonal levels have changed, you have been through stress and are still stressed, your life has changed. The emotions that come with all this will take time to subside.

Eventually, you will know how beautiful motherhood is. Look forward to the immense pleasure this little baby will give you. They don’t call babies “bundles of joy” for nothing. Bide your time, sleep over your stress, take care of the baby with your family members or friends and time will unfold the joy of motherhood.