Bookmark This Page

Delicious Google Bookmarks Stumbleupon Digg BlinkList Blogmarks Facebook Ma.gnolia Reddit Twitter Yahoo My Web Livejournal

Baby Blues: When Mom Should Worry About Her Feelings

If you are expecting a baby, you have probably heard quite a bit about the baby blues. It is scary to think that you might have not-so-pleasant feelings about yourself, your spouse or even your baby after the baby arrives. This, however, is a very common part of having a baby and instead of being scared about the baby blues, the best thing you can do is to be prepared. When you are expecting, you should learn all you can about this emotional time and understand when you should ask for help. You should never let these feelings go unchecked so make sure that you have a good support system in place before the baby arrives. Here are some tips to help you better understand the baby blues and when you should worry about your feelings.

What are the baby blues?

The baby blues are simply a period of time when your emotions are at an all time high. Some say it is because your body is adjusting to the hormones after delivering and much of may have to do with the added stress of caring for a newborn and everyday stress. When you stop to think about all the demands that you have on you, whether it is caring for a baby and other children, returning to work or dealing with an unsupportive spouse, it is no wonder why having a baby can lead to such emotional feelings. It is probably safe to say that all women experience some sort of emotional distress after having a baby. Some, however, have it much worse than others. In addition, when you talk about the baby blues, also called postpartum depression, it is very important to realize that these feelings can come and go and can last for a few weeks for several months.

Finding the right emotional support: When you have a baby, whether it is your first or your fourth, you need a good support system. It is always best that your spouse is your emotional support, but for many women that is simply not the case. Sometimes it is not because the spouse does not want to be supportive, but it may be that the husband must travel for extended periods of time for work or work long hours to support the family. This is when you need to have someone else you can turn to for help. This could be your best friend, your mother, your neighbor or even your doctor. You must have someone that you can talk to openly and honestly if you feel that your emotions are getting the best of you. Establish your support system early in your pregnancy and know that you can always turn to these people if necessary.

Getting help when you need it: Sadly, it is true that many women suffer from severe post partum depression. You sometimes hear about these women on the news. These are the extreme cases and these are the women that somehow fall through the cracks. The bottom line is that if at any time you have suicidal feelings or you feel your baby is in danger, you need to seek help immediately. Never wait. You might be embarrassed or hesitant to let others in on this very emotional time, but you should remember that there is always someone out there that wants to help you. Never let these feelings go unchecked. Talk to your best friend, your spouse or see your doctor. It is also very important that those around you know about this emotional time so that they can intervene should it become necessary.