Motherhood is hard for many, and postpartum depression makes it even harder. If you’re struggling, here’s a post to help you understand what’s going on and how a postpartum depression doctor will provide the support you need.
When To Seek Help For Postpartum Depression
Between the endless feedings, diaper changes, and the strange quiet of the middle-of-the-night hours, it might be easy to lose yourself in the chaos of motherhood. And if you’re here more than a month after you’ve given birth and you’re feeling intense sadness or a gaping hole of emptiness despite holding your bundle of joy. Or grief. Rage. Maybe you’ve also lost your appetite.
If you’re feeling that way, you’re not broken, and you’re not a bad mom. What you’re feeling could be postpartum depression, and we’re about to discuss what it feels like and how to get the appropriate treatment you need.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) isn’t the “baby blues.” Those baby blues, the ones they tell you about in pregnancy books? They’re common. In fact, many women—about 80% of new moms—experience mood swings, sadness, or tearfulness in the first few weeks after giving birth. The feelings are caused by a rapid drop in hormones after childbirth and usually fade after a couple of weeks.
But postpartum depression is different. It’s a clinical condition that occurs within the first year after childbirth, a serious mental health challenge that affects how you think, feel, and function. It’s heavier. It lasts longer and affects about 6.5-20% of birthing parents, according to UPMC. While many experience initial ‘baby blues,’ up to 15% are likely to develop postpartum depression, with symptoms manifesting weeks or even months post-delivery.
What’s tricky about postpartum depression is that it doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some moms, it feels like overwhelming sadness or frequent crying. For others, it might show up as anxiety, irritability, or even a sense of numbness. Some moms feel like they’ve lost their connection to their baby or their partner. And then there are the thoughts—the scary, intrusive ones that make you question yourself and your ability to handle the whole “mom” thing.
Another important factor to consider is postpartum depression in fathers and non-birthing parents. If you notice your spouse or partner experiencing some of the above or don’t see themselves as time goes by within the first year of your baby’s birth, they could be experiencing postpartum depression, too.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression: What to Look For
One of the hardest parts of dealing with postpartum depression is recognizing it in the first place. Here are some common symptoms of postpartum depression to watch for:
- Persistent sadness or feeling hopeless
- Frequent crying, often without a clear reason
- Feeling detached from your baby, like you’re just going through the motions
- Trouble sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of breastfeeding milk supply (this could be related to loss of appetite)
- Feeling like you’re not a good mom or that your baby would be better off without you
- Intense irritability or anger
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
When to Seek Treatment
If any of this is resonating with you, please, you don’t have to wait to feel “bad enough” to seek a way out.
It’s easy to downplay what you’re going through or tell yourself it’s just part of being a mom. But postpartum depression isn’t something you should try to tough out on your own. The sooner you call out, the better.
It’s not ideal to have postpartum depression diagnosed by anyone but a medically trained professional. So reach out to a doctor, a therapist, or even your regular OB-GYN or midwife. They’ll be able to assess your symptoms and recommend the right path forward, whether that’s talk therapy, medication, or a combination of treatments. You need proper evaluation and care to treat postpartum depression.
How Dr. Kristal Lau Supports Postpartum Moms
Now, let’s pause here for a moment to introduce you to someone who’s helping moms navigate the postpartum period in a compassionate and holistic way: Dr. Kristal Lau.
Dr. Lau doesn’t offer medical treatments at this stage, but she understands the emotional and mental health challenges that come with motherhood. Through her organization, Bridges In Health, Dr. Lau provides you with non-medical and non-clinical lifestyle support to recover physically after childbirth and to nurture your emotional and mental well-being.
If you’re struggling with postpartum depression, Dr. Lau will connect you with the resources you need, from mental health professionals to support groups. She believes that healing isn’t just about addressing one part of your life; it’s about caring for the whole of you.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression doesn’t have one exact cause; instead, it’s often a mix of biological, emotional, and social factors.
After giving birth, hormonal changes—like the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone— may lead to mood swings and feelings of sadness. Add to that the life stress of adjusting to a newborn, lack of sleep, financial worries, and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a baby, and it could feel like too much.
Women with a personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems are at an increased risk of developing postpartum depression. Without a strong support system, whether from family, friends, or a mental health provider, feelings of isolation could make things even harder.
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
What works for one mom might not work for another, and that’s okay, but overall, here are known treatments:
Talk Therapy
Sometimes, just talking to someone who understands makes a difference. Interpersonal therapy and other forms of counseling are often recommended for moms with postpartum depression.
Medication
In some cases, antidepressant medicines might be part of your treatment plan. The medications balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. (If you’re breastfeeding, your medical provider will recommend medications that are safe for both you and your baby.)
Support Groups
Support groups usually offer a safe space to share your experiences, hear from others, and realize that you’re not alone in this.
Conclusion: Sometimes, You Need Help, Momma
Let’s end this the way we started—with a little honesty. Motherhood isn’t always sunrise and roses. And if you’re struggling with symptoms of postpartum depression, it may feel like you’re drowning. But that’s not true. There are doctors, therapists, coaches, and moms just like you who are ready to throw you a lifeline.
So please, if you’re feeling lost, reach out. Whether it’s to a medical professional, a support group, or someone like Dr. Kristal Lau, help is out there. And you deserve to feel whole again.
Anneliese Lawton on Maternal Mental Health Exclusive Interview(Opens in a new browser tab)
FAQs About Postpartum Depression
Does postpartum depression affect dads or partners?
Partners, including dads, also experience postpartum depression after the birth of a child (8-13%, according to the National Institutes of Health). While they may not experience the hormonal shifts that birth mothers do, they face the stress and isolation of adjusting to parenthood, financial pressures, and sleep deprivation. If your partner seems withdrawn, irritable, or sad, encourage them to seek support too.
What’s the difference between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency. It may involve visual and/or auditory hallucinations, delusions, and/or paranoia in addition to the classical symptoms of postpartum depression. The incidence of postpartum psychosis is relatively low but requires immediate treatment for the safety of both the mother and her baby.
