Absolutely every new mom experiences a transition in mood postpartum, and understanding sleep deprivation and postpartum depression can help you recognize the difference between common postpartum changes and a more serious condition. The range of emotions can include feeling mildly anxious and uncertain, crying “just because it feels better,” or experiencing intense feelings that make it difficult to care for yourself and your baby. In other words, postpartum blues can be expected to some extent in all new moms. After delivery, your hormones undergo a significant shift, which can contribute to mood changes and emotional sensitivity.
These feelings typically resolve within 1-2 weeks after delivery without medication. Postpartum depression, which affects one in seven women, is a much more profound and prolonged form of depression. Although it usually begins 1-3 weeks after delivery, it can develop at any time during the first year postpartum. Two consistent red flags for postpartum depression include insomnia and severe anxiety. Because sleep deprivation and postpartum depression can have overlapping symptoms, it may be difficult to determine whether what you are experiencing is part of the normal postpartum adjustment or something that requires additional support. Paying attention to symptoms that persist or worsen can help you know when to speak with your provider.
Postpartum depression screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) can be a helpful resource and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Typically, your provider will ask you to complete a postpartum depression screening questionnaire during your routine postpartum visit at 4-6 weeks, or earlier if you or your family members have concerns. Treatment may involve antidepressants and, in some cases, talk therapy.
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