A baby changes everything.
The birth of a new baby is a time full of joy, excitement, fascination and amazement.
The birth of a baby also is very stressful. A couple must go through an adjustment period after their baby is born. Adjustments include learning infant-care skills, understanding the newborn’s ways of communicating, establishing a place for the baby within the family system, finding time for yourself and finding time as a couple.
Combine this adjustment period with the “baby blues,” and becoming a new mother can seem even more difficult. Sixty to 80 percent of new mothers experience the “baby blues,” which probably is caused by the hormonal changes that occur after the birth of a baby. A new mom might become more tearful, fatigued, worry excessively and/or develop sleep problems for up to two weeks after the baby is born.
Another condition that is longer lasting and more severe is postpartum depression and affects 1 in 8 new mothers. Symptoms can include: depressed mood throughout most of the day, lack of interest in the baby, guilt or feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, overconcern for the baby, uncontrollable crying, lack of appetite, fear of harming yourself or the baby and decreased interest in normal activity.