Postpartum blues how long

All of these factors combine to pave the way for the baby blues. The symptoms can start 2 to 3 days after the baby is born. Most of the time, the baby blues go away on their own soon after birth — usually within 10 days but sometimes up to 14 days postpartum. How you experience the baby blues may be different from how your BFF or sister-in-law does, but generally, symptoms of the baby blues include:. Postpartum depression can occur anytime during the first year after having a baby.

What one person considers severe might be more or less so for another person, so this is a little subjective. Fortunately, they usually go away on their own soon after birth. The baby blues may be normal and short-lived, but postpartum depression needs to be treated. After Jen Schwartz had her son, she unexpectedly experienced postpartum depression. Here she talks about the importance of maternal mental health, and…. Different from the ''baby blues,'' postpartum depression can cause severe mood swings, exhaustion, and a sense of hopelessness.

Here's what you should…. After delivery, the amount of the hormones estrogen and progesterone suddenly decreases, causing mood swings. For some people, the hormones made by the thyroid gland may drop sharply, which can make them feel tired and depressed. Not getting enough sleep and not eating well can add to these feelings.

Emotional issues are another possible cause of the baby blues. You may be nervous about taking care of your new baby or be worried about how your life has changed since the baby was born. These thoughts can make you feel sad or depressed. You may be more at risk for feeling sad after having your baby if you felt depressed during a different pregnancy or at other times in your life. If you feel scared or out of control, tell your provider. Up to 10 percent of partners can have feelings of sadness or depression after the birth of a baby.

It happens most often during the first 3 to 6 months after the baby is born, but can develop up to a year afterward. Lack of sleep, relationship problems or stress can also cause the baby blues. Male partners also may have the baby blues because of hormone changes during and after the baby is born. Testosterone levels may drop and estrogen levels may rise in new fathers. Other hormones, such as cortisol, vasopressin and prolactin, may rise.

All of these hormone changes can cause depression. The baby blues usually go away on their own without treatment. Here are some things you can do to feel better:. Call your provider if you have any of the symptoms of baby blues or postpartum depression, especially if your symptoms:. Get expert tips and resources from March of Dimes and CDC to increase your chance of having a healthy, fully-term pregnancy and baby.

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Privacy, Terms, and Notices , Cookie Settings. DHA is important for the development of the central nervous system in all mammals. There is an enormous growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months, with a large increase in the cerebral content of Arachidonic Acid AA and DHA.

If a pregnant mother is not regularly eating fish such as salmon, cod, tuna, and sardines. Women who eat enough fish during pregnancy or supplement with a high-quality fish oil product are less likely to suffer from the baby blues.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends Safe Catch Tuna because they test every fish for its mercury content to ensure it meets their strict purity standards.

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that children of women who took fish oil supplementation during pregnancy and while nursing had higher IQs than children whose mothers received a placebo. Additionally, researchers found that women who ate less than 12 ounces of fish or other seafood a week while pregnant were more likely to have children with verbal and other developmental delays than women who ate more than 12 ounces each week.

Currently, the proposed adequate intake of DHA for pregnant and lactating women is mg. The production of breast milk requires an additional average of calories per day. Optimal milk production requires a total caloric intake of at least 2, calories daily. One of the primary energy sources for lactation is from fat storage from the diet.

This requires an additional calories from fat a day, just for the formation of healthy breast milk. A reserve needs to be left over for mom so that she can maintain her own levels of Omega-3s for mental clarity and tissue integrity.

Fish oil supplementation is rapidly becoming an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet for both mom and baby. Compiled using information from the following source: Postpartum. Baby Blues. How can you take care of yourself?