The Science Behind the Baby Blues

Bringing home a new baby is a joyful experience. So, why do you feel so sad?

Despite the rosy picture many people paint, most new moms struggle with feelings of sadness and anxiety after childbirth. Your feelings are normal and referred to as the baby blues. 

However, when the unhappiness continues and affects your ability to take care of yourself and your baby, then it might be postpartum depression.

At Reviv Functional Psychiatry & TMS Wellness Center in Fullerton, California, our compassionate psychiatrist, Dr. Hina Sidhu, treats postpartum depression, also called perinatal depression.

Many women have concerns about mood changes after childbirth, and we want to explain the science behind the baby blues and when it might be depression.

About the baby blues

Childbirth is a life-changing experience, leaving you feeling excited and exhausted. However, as your body begins its postpartum recovery, you may experience changes in mood. 

About 2-3 days after birth, many women feel depressed and anxious. They may find themselves crying for no reason or feeling angry and resentful towards their partner. They may also question their ability to take care of their new baby. These mood changes are a mild form of depression called the baby blues.

Common symptoms you may experience during the baby blues include:

• Feeling restless or anxious
• Difficulting concentrating
• Poor appetite
• Irritable

Most new moms, about 85%, experience the baby blues. The sadness and anxiety may last a week or two and then slowly subside. 

The science behind baby blues

Researchers are still investigating the underlying cause of the baby blues. However, they theorize it occurs due to a sudden change in hormone levels. 

Estrogen and progesterone levels are at their highest during pregnancy, and within 24 hours after birth, hormone levels drop back to their normal pre-pregnancy amounts. This sudden shift in hormones may cause a rapid and unsettling change in mood.

Your erratic sleep schedule and stress from caring for a new baby may compound your mood changes.  

Baby blues vs. postpartum depression

The baby blues usually resolve on their own without treatment within two weeks. However, if you continue to feel sad or your mood changes are more severe, you may have postpartum depression.

Women with postpartum depression feel so overwhelmingly sad, anxious, and tired that they can’t function. Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression doesn’t get better on its own and requires psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Many women ignore their depression symptoms, brushing it off as a normal part of early motherhood. However, when left untreated, postpartum depression can last years and affect the baby’s development. 

If you’re a new mom struggling with anxiety, irritability, or unhappiness, now is the time to reach out for help. Call our office today at 714-868-8514 for an evaluation and treatment plan. We offer in-office and telemedicine appointments.