How many women have heard: “I had the baby blues too. You’ll snap out of it.” Yes, the baby blues are very real and more than half of all women do experience a period of sadness, anxiety, fatigue or irritability following the birth of a baby.
The difference, though, is that the baby blues do go away within a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression is more severe and long lasting. PPD symptoms may occur a few days after giving birth or up to almost a year later.
Women who feel they may be going through something more significant than the baby blues shouldn’t think this is something they can easily “snap out of.” If PPD symptoms continue and worsen, contact your doctor or ask a family member or friend to make the call on your behalf.
PPD can be treated but only if you seek treatment.