Postpartum Depression

Having a baby is a wonderful time in one’s life. After nine months of handling the physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy, a new life is born into the world and you, in turn, experience a new range of emotions: joy, nervousness, and excitement. Some women, however, also experience depression alongside these other sentiments. This uncontrollable feeling of sadness is a phenomenon known as postpartum depression.

What is the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression?

It is important to distinguish postpartum depression from the baby blues. The latter is a relatively minor form of sadness that affects about 80% of women post-delivery. Women suffering from this syndrome will be on edge emotionally for a few weeks after the birth, and then their heightening emotional state will subside. Some women, however, are susceptible to postpartum depression, which is a more developed form of the baby blues that sets in within a few months after delivery. This condition will affect the woman’s ability to care for both her baby and herself; most will experience symptoms common among those suffering from depression. In the most extreme cases, victims may consider suicide or harming their children as the solution to these feelings.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?

There are two main categories of postpartum depression:

• Postpartum Depression: This condition affects 10-20% of women post-birth, and sufferers will experience depression, trouble with eating and sleeping, sentiments of inadequacy, suicidal thoughts, and inability to care for their children.
• Postpartum Psychosis: This condition is quite rare among women. Sufferers will experience delusions, hallucinations, inability to sleep or eat, extreme mood swings, and they have a higher potential of hurting their children.

Women who suffer from these conditions generally have a previous history of mental illness or hormone imbalance.

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about postpartum depression, its causes and its symptoms, contact the Washington medical malpractice lawyers of Fuller & Fuller today at 1-800-570-4878.