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After pregnancy and childbirth, some women may experience psychosocial issues. Many women will experience some sort of postpartum blues, which is a condition in which they may laugh or cry unpredictably, have anxiety or irritability, feel overwhelmed, or have trouble sleeping. However, these women are still functional, and are caring for themselves and their child.

In the cases where women are unable to care for themselves or their baby, they may be suffering from postpartum depression, which would require a more serious intervention. Postpartum depression may be mistaken for the baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms are often more intense and last longer, which include depressed mood or severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with your baby, withdrawing from family and friends, hopelessness, severe anxiety, and more.

At MFM, we screen our patients for postpartum depression at the six-week visit with the Edinburgh postpartum survey. If they have a score that is suggestive of postpartum depression, we use any of the several services that are available for consultation to make sure they’re in the proper care for their depression. Postpartum depression could be quite transient; it might last several weeks or a couple of months. Patients who have had a pre-existing depressive disorder might be on medication for several months afterward.

Women who think they may be suffering from the baby blues or postpartum depression should contact our office today for an examination and treatment options. Contact MFM today at (212) 235-1335 to get started.

Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!