Postpartum Mood Changes
Having a baby is exciting, but it can also come with numerous discomforts as the baby grows and your body and hormones accommodate the birth and nursing, if you choose that path. Once the baby is born, your body and hormones will readjust to a new normal in the “fourth trimester.” These postpartum changes can be challenging to navigate, especially if postpartum depression becomes a factor.
With so many changes occurring at once, it helps to educate yourself during pregnancy on what is considered normal. We encourage all expecting parents to read about pregnancy and childbirth and ask your obstetrician questions. Partners should also have an awareness of these changes so they can support you and the baby before and after the birth. This blog post is just the beginning. Please reach out to your care team at West Des Moines OBGYN Associates to discuss your concerns and ask questions, as postpartum care is important to you and your baby.
Physical Postpartum Changes
The entire female body is involved in giving birth and feeding the baby, so it’s no surprise that numerous postpartum physical changes will take place. The breasts will enlarge and engorge with milk while the uterus gradually recovers and shrinks back to normal size.
If a vaginal birth took place, there will likely be healing that needs to take place, as approximately 70 percent of women experience some tearing during childbirth. If a C-section was performed, the incision and stitches must be cared for as they heal. It will take a few weeks for your body to recover and feel normal again.
Meanwhile, the breasts will work on milk production. If you are able, you may choose to nurse or pump breast milk. If all is normal, the mammary glands will become enlarged and will ache and leak until they are relieved by nursing or pumping. Nursing can continue for months or even years, but most mothers opt to wean babies around a year. Your hospital provides lactation consultants on the postpartum unit. Don’t be afraid to discuss lactation and nursing challenges with your OBGYN.
Besides the physical changes of giving birth and nursing your baby, the hidden hormonal changes can pack a punch. For a couple of weeks after having the baby, you are likely to feel the effects of dropping estrogen and progesterone levels. That can include mood swings, sleep trouble, hot flashes, and appetite changes.
With hormonal shifts as well as sleep disruption from caring for your baby, it is considered normal to feel sad, anxious, and irritable for a few weeks following birth. People often refer to this as the Baby Blues—a temporary state attributed to hormonal changes. While moodiness can be expected for about two weeks, after that, parents need to be alert for the signs of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is marked by difficulty bonding with the baby, intense crying and depression, anxiety attacks, social withdrawal, and negative/harmful thoughts. Postpartum depression should be treated by a physician, and your OBGYN cares and will assist with diagnosis and treatment.
If you have intense symptoms that cause concern or interfere with your daily life, see your doctor. For example, if you experience anxiety that interferes with caring for your baby or yourself or thoughts about harming yourself or others.
Navigating Postpartum Changes
To navigate postpartum changes, we strongly encourage you and your partner to learn as much as you can prior to childbirth. In addition, remember to:
· Give yourself time to recover
· Enlist help from your partner and family/friends
· Seek treatment if changes affect your daily functioning
· Learn more about other postpartum changes, such as weight, sex drive, and hair loss
· Ask your OBGYN questions
When you are a patient at West Des Moines OBGYN Associates, you will receive personalized care from preconception to beyond the postpartum phase. You will have access to a messaging portal that is designed to provide answers to your questions. Please stay in touch with your care team as questions arise before, during, and after your pregnancy.
