Postpartum Depression & Baby Blues

"Baby Blues" are a common after-effect of having a baby, regardless of mode of delivery or circumstances of birth.  This time of shifting emotions is directly related to a major shift in hormones that takes place within the first weeks of birth.  Other factors influence a woman's likelihood of experiencing baby blues, but because all postpartum women experience the shift in hormones, it is not uncommon for women to feel especially moody for a few weeks. 

If signs of depression continue for more than two weeks or signs of psychosis develop, seek professional assistance immediately.  Postpartum depression and anxiety are considered 100% curable and there is no need to suffer in silence.  You are not a "bad mother" for feeling the way you do if you are experiencing postpartum depression.  There are few factors that are easily related to an increase in your risk for postpartum depression, making it nearly impossible to predict whether or not you will experience it.  The biggest risk factor is previous postpartum depression.  Other than that, it seems to be dependent on external circumstances, satisfaction with your birth, sensitivity to hormone shifts, amount of support you have, predisposition, and other completely unknown factors. 

Studies have shown that having continuous labor support from a doula decreases your chances of postpartum depression.