The Difference Between Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues & When to Seek Therapy

There can be a lot of confusion around the difference between the Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression. The key piece to understanding the difference is the intensity and duration of symptoms. To begin, let’s break down what are the Baby Blues and what are common symptoms with the Baby Blues. 

What are the Baby Blues?

The Baby Blues are a common set of symptoms and mood changes that happens after giving birth. They normally begin a few days after birth and should resolve themselves 2 to 3 weeks after giving birth. It is important to note that if you are taking strong painkillers following a birth, you might see the mood symptoms shift after you stop using the painkillers. This is often the case for c-section, cesarean births or belly births, where the mom might continue stronger pain medication till around 4 or 5 days after birth.

I had a similar experience where my Baby Blue symptoms didn’t present themselves until I stopped taking my stronger pain medication after my c-section. I first noticed a general drop in my mood, with an encompassing feeling of sadness. I then noticed that I would randomly get emotional at different times during the day where I would be overcome with sadness and cry. I also noticed a sense of fear, and sense of low mood as night approached. I almost feared the nights, wishing that I could escape. I also had a strong desire to return to my previous life. I was struggling with the many changes that had just taken place in my life. These are often common symptoms that mothers express after giving birth.

Even as a couples therapist and someone who had studied about this I still felt these symptoms. You are not alone in experiencing the Baby Blues and there is no shame in what you are experiencing.

Why do we Experience the Baby Blues?

 The basis of a lot of these changes are hormonal. When you give birth, you also lose your placenta, which was the organ that produced so many hormones during your pregnancy. When the placenta leaves your body, hormone levels drastically shift in your body. Doctors and the health community believe that the reason some mothers experience the Baby Blues while others don’t also depends on how you generally respond to hormonal shifts. Everyone woman is different and their body responds differently to changes. However, it is believed that nearly 80 percent of mothers experience the Baby Blues

Common Symptoms of the Baby Blues

 Though symptoms might be different for each mother, there are common symptoms that most mothers seem to report.

• ·Frequent crying

• A sense of loss or grief around your life prior to having a child

• Quick mood swings, one minute you are happy, and the next you feel a wave of sadness come over you

• Exhaustion

• Change in appetite

• Feeling overwhelmed

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum Depression may have similar symptoms to Baby Blues but the intensity of the symptoms are greater and the duration of symptoms are longer. If the symptoms of the Baby Blues continue past 2-3 weeks after giving birth or you find these symptoms developing any time at least one year after giving birth then it might be Postpartum Depression.

I personally did not experience Postpartum Depression but I do believe that if I had not had the social-emotional support and knowledge base, that I would have had a high chance of experiencing Postpartum Depression.

One of the first things I did when I began feeling Baby Blues symptoms was set up an appointment with my therapist here in Miami. It was an online therapy appointment, since that was best for me recovering and because we were still going through the pandemic, and it was just what I needed. I needed to find clarity, to be reassured that this could get better and that I would not feel like this forever. As a couples therapist and Miami therapist I work with couples and individuals in Miami and online in Florida who are looking for marriage counseling or couples therapy in Miami for Postpartum Depression, the Baby Blues or Postpartum Anxiety.

Why do we Experience Postpartum Depression?

Researchers and doctors don’t really know the full reason why some mothers experience Postpartum Depression and others don’t but they understand that it is a bio-psycho-social phenomenon. This means that there are many biological factors, psychological and social factors that affect whether postpartum depression develops. Some of those factors include biological factors such as your body’s response to hormonal fluctuations, genetics and whether physical trauma occurred. Some social and psychological factors include the level of support you receive after pregnancy, whether the pregnancy was planned, the relationship with your partner, and your response to change. Whether you develop Postpartum Depression or not it is essential that you understand that it is not your fault. There is nothing you did that caused you to experience Postpartum Depression

It is important to note that women are not the only ones who experience Postpartum Depression. Dads and partners also get postpartum depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Clients that have Postpartum Depression often report:

• Irritation or agitation

• Feelings of anger, resentment, or rage

• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much

• Intrusive thoughts

• Depressed mood, feeling down

• Crying a lot

• Challenges with bonding with your baby

• Feeling like you don’t want to see family and friends, withdrawing

• Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual

• Feeling a loss of pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• A sense of hopelessness, feeling like things will never get better

• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy.

• Thinking that family would be better off without you

• Unable to focus or concentrate

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

How to Know it is Time to Ask for Professional Help from a Therapist

 With me personally, as soon as I noticed that I was not feeling myself I reached out to my couples therapist here in Miami. I knew that something wasn’t right and I didn’t fully know what was going on. I also wanted to make sure that things could get better. I was worried that I would feel like this forever. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, I would encourage you to reach out for help from a therapist, either a therapist for postpartum depression or couples therapist. Maybe it is reaching out to your care provider, if you feel safe and comfortable, or maybe it is searching online for a therapist in your area that specializes in Postpartum Depression and Anxiety.  However you reach out, know that things can be better and there are things you can do to improve how you feel.

Therapy for Postpartum Depression in Miami with Miami Therapist and Postpartum Depression Treatment in Florida

We offer online therapy for new moms, moms experiencing Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression in Florida. We also offer counseling for Dads too with therapy for dads.  We also offer couples counseling Miami and Marriage counseling Miami for couples that would like to work with a couples therapist in Miami or online in Florida to support them through postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Our physical office is located in Miami, but we offer online therapy for our Florida Moms too!

April Brown, LMFT at the Heard Counseling also offer birth trauma treatment, anxiety therapy, therapy for dads, therapy for moms, infertility counseling and support, therapy for women and families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, and counseling for teens. Check out their blog for valuable information on mental health and couples therapy. Contact their counseling office to learn more about therapy.