condition
Baby blues
Baby blues can affect 4 out of 5 women after they give birth. This usually happens within the first week and is likely due to the rapid change in hormones and other biochemicals that occur once pregnancy has finished. Symptoms include low mood, feeling irritable and on edge, and feeling emotional or tearful for no obvious reason.
What can you find here?
How long does it last?
Symptoms should only last a few days but if they persist or are accompanied by more severe symptoms, it could be a sign of postnatal depression, postpartum psychosis or postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder and you should speak to your doctor or health visitor straight away.
Can I prevent baby blues from happening?
It doesn’t affect every mum but it is a normal part of the postpartum experience. There is not much you can do to avoid experiencing baby blues, but rest assured that for most it improves within a week without any intervention.
Be kind to yourself
There is a lot to adjust to in those first few weeks after giving birth, so be kind to yourself. It’s important to look after yourself as much as possible by ensuring you have a calm, supportive, caring environment. Drinking plenty of fluid, sleeping when your baby sleeps and eating well-balanced nutritious foods is essential to your overall recovery.
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