What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know About Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues

Postpartum depression as long been a factor for women who have had children. While not all child bearing women will suffer from postpartum depression, it is extremely common for women to suffer from the baby blues during the first few days and weeks following the birth of their child. Baby Blues are a very mild form of depression that usually will disappear on their own within a week or two, but postpartum depression can be a very serious medical issue that requires immediate attention from a health care provider.

Who's At Risk: Postpartum depression can affect any mother. It affects one in eight women following the birth of a child. Postpartum depression affects women of all ages, race, income levels, cultures, and education. It can affect a woman who gives birth to a perfectly healthy baby just as easily as it can affect a woman who has given birth to a sick child. Postpartum depression is a health problem and it is not anyone's fault...it is simply due t changes that a woman's body goes through during and after pregnancy.

Some women are at a higher risk than others for postpartum depression. Women with a family history of depression such as bipolar disorder or women who have suffered from postpartum depression from a previous pregnancy are more likely to have postpartum depression following subsequent pregnancies. Other risk factors include recently stressful events, relationship problems, financial problems, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse which can all greatly increase the chance that a woman will experience postpartum depression.

Symptoms: While there are many symptoms related to postpartum depression, some of these symptoms are also related to the baby blues. Feeling tired could just be due to lack of sleep, it could be due to the baby blues, or it could be an even deeper lying problem such as postpartum depression. The baby blues will not affect a woman's daily life to the point that she is unable to perform her normal routine. A woman who is suffering from symptoms of postpartum depression that directly affect her daily routine to a point that she is unable to cope should seek medical attention immediately.