The baby blues

I was browsing through the channels of the television the other night when I came across a foreign variety show that sort of caught my attention. It was about a woman who was jealous of her sister because this woman's husband was giving too much attention to her sibling who lives with them. When the hosts probed further regarding the problem, it was found out that the woman just gave birth. From the interview it looks like she was experiencing postpartum blues or postpartum depression.

What is the difference between the two?

Postpartum blues or what some call "the baby blues" is a mild form of depression. This comes a few days after giving birth and can usually last around two weeks. The symptoms, which may be caused by hormonal changes after pregnancy are anxiety, weeping, sadness, moodiness, irritability, appetite changes. But with enough sleep and rest and once these hormonal changes have leveled out mommy will feel much better.

Since the symptoms are very similar to the baby blues, early detection of postpartum depression can be tricky. The difference is that with postpartum depression, symptoms are more severe. There could be suicidal thoughts or a feeling of inability to care for ones child. The earlier one recognizes these symptoms and accepts this problem the better, so one can get professional help.

I remember the time I gave birth to my eldest child. I have already heard of the term postpartum blues but I never thought that I would get them. I thought that those women who get weepy and clingy after childbirth were brats or just plain weaklings. Oh boy, did that mindset all backfired on me. A few days after giving birth to my first child, I could not understand what was happening to me. One minute I was laughing then the next minute, I was already crying with the slightest provocation. I felt frustrated, anxious and lost, incapable of being a mother. I was a mess.

After about a week of this whirlwind of emotions, my husband jokingly told me that I might be experiencing the "blues" associated with childbirth. That's it! All of a sudden I felt as if a weight was lifted off me. I was suddenly relieved. Right then I knew I was just going through a phase and it would all soon pass. It did not take long for me to shrug off those feelings of anxiety.

It did help a ton though, to have a wonderful husband who was very supportive. He always jumped into that role of being my emotional support through my next two pregnancies especially after giving birth. He was always there whenever I would have these emotional struggles. He would always check on me throughout the day whenever he's in the office. Once he is home, he would stay beside me, read a book or watch TV. He would bring me flowers and bring anything he knows that would cheer me up, even if it were just a bag of peanuts. J

Having a husband who supports and understands how you feel is crucial for a faster recovery when going through that experience.

Oh, and to all the mothers whom I have judged harshly with my thoughts, I humbly ask forgiveness. Long live Motherhood! J