Are There Different Types of Postpartum Depression?
There are three types of mood changes women can have after giving birth: • The “baby blues,” which occur in most women in the days right after childbirth, are considered normal. A new mother has sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and then feeling very sad. She may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as one to two weeks after delivery. The baby blues do not usually require treatment from a health care provider. Often, joining a support group of new moms or talking with other moms helps. • Postpartum depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth. PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. A woman can have feelings similar to the baby blues — sadness, despair, anxiety, irritability — but she feels them much more strongly than she would with the baby blues. PPD often keeps a woman from doing the things she needs to do ev
