Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2015 | Page 22

baby
BY DR. RENEE SIMONS
Having a Baby Changes
Everything
It is common for new mom’s to ex-
perience the “baby blues” — feeling
stressed, sad, anxious, lonely, tired or
weepy — following their baby’s birth.
Luckily, the “baby blues” typically go
away over time.
If these symptoms worsen or persist
over time, it may be a more serious con-
dition called Postpartum Depression
(PPD). PPD is a serious mental health
problem characterized by a prolonged
period of emotional disturbance, occur-
ring days or even months after the birth
of a new baby. It can make it hard to get
through the day, and can affect your
ability to take care of your baby, or your-
self. PPD can affect anyone, regardless
of age, race, ethnicity, or the circum-
stances surrounding the
pregnancy or birth.
This condition
can last weeks
or months if
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We have all heard the saying, “having a baby
changes everything,” of course it does! Enter
the joys of parenting, including sleepless nights,
continuous feedings and a seemingly infinite
amount of dirty diapers. But what happens
when stress, anxiety, sadness, and exhaustion
cloud such a happy and joyous occasion?
left untreated and can have significant
consequences for both the new mother
and the rest of the family.
Warning Signs:
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How common is it?
The American Psychological Associa-
tion estimates that approximately 1 in 7
mothers experience postpartum depres-
sion and, women who have experienced
it in the past are even more likely to
experience it again in future pregnan-
cies. For half of the women diagnosed
with PPD, this is their first episode of
depression. About 50% of women diag-
nosed, may have begun experiencing
symptoms during pregnancy–so
it’s important to seek help
early! Getting the right
help can make all the
difference for you, your
baby and your family.
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According to a Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) survey, 8-19% of
mothers reported experiencing
symptoms of PPD. Symptoms vary
but may include:
A loss of pleasure or interest
in things you used to enjoy, includ-
ing sex
Eating much more, or much less,
than you usually do
Anxiety—all or most of the time—
or panic attacks
Racing, scary thoughts
Feeling guilty or worthless—blam-
ing yourself
Excessive irritability, anger or agita-
tion—mood swings
Sadness, crying uncontrollably for
very long periods of time
Feeling guilty about not being a