Singing The Baby Blues
When someone said “postpartum depression”, I immediately had the image of Kirstie Alley in Look Who’s Talking crying about the FTD commercial in my head. I was hopeful that I wasn’t going to be a teary-eyed-snot-flowing-everywhere kind of mommy after having Sayle. While I was very aware of the classic signs of postpartum, I was not aware of this pesky little state called the baby blues-until they hit me.
I had Sayle on a Wednesday and got home with him on Friday afternoon. That’s when anxiety kicked in. I couldn’t sit still and my mind raced constantly.
I didn’t have any newborn clothes for Sayle. I was a horrible mother. My house wasn’t clean enough. The dogs needed grooming. I’m not changing his diaper right. Was Sayle getting enough to eat? What if I mess something up?
I had my final melt-down on day one when Sayle had spit-up come from his nose and spread across his face during a nap; that scared me to death. I sobbed uncontrollably because I thought there was something seriously wrong with him.
A few days later, Grandma showed up from England (thank God) to help us. The first morning she was here, she took Sayle upstairs with her to allow me a long shower and some free time. I couldn’t handle free time; the free time allowed me too much time for my thoughts to race-so I folded laundry to keep my mind occupied. When I was finished I went upstairs with them. As soon as she said hi, I burst into tears. There was nothing wrong with me, why was I crying? I had no reason to cry, I was the happiest I had ever been! She just smiled at me, understanding exactly what I was going through.
I had the baby blues, which is quite common shortly after you give birth. Baby blues usually occur within days of giving birth and can last for up to 21 days. The physical symptoms can include lack of sleep and energy, food craving or loss of appetite, and feeling tired even after sleeping. The mental symptoms include anxiety and excessive worry, confusion, nervousness, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, and lack of confidence. Behavioral reactions include crying, over sensitivity, irritability, and hyperactivity.
I had most of these symptoms for approximately a week before I was able to establish a routine.
I definitely felt out of sorts while experiencing the baby blues, but I couldn’t help it. None of us can. Having a baby is overwhelming in itself without having to deal with the hormonal changes that are uncontrollable, thank you Mother Nature. I am thankful I was surrounded by people who love me and by my veteran mothers who completely understood why I was acting like a cry baby.
If you experience these types of symptoms more than four weeks, you may be experiencing postpartum, which is also very common. Please tell your doctor how you are feeling when you go for your check up!
How did you feel after having your child? Did you experience any baby blue or postpartum? How did you cope?
Holy cow that was so me as well! I was a mess and had no idea what was wrong with me except I knew something was. Good idea to put this out there so people know this is normal and does not last forever, whew!
FYI: a friend of mine’s mother actually told he she was crazy and that postpartum depression is a myth…what? Don’t worry, I regulated this asap!
I thought I was losing my mind!!! All I ever wanted was to be a mommy and all I could do was cry!!! The third week of Beau’s life was the hardest. I had hit my wall of being tired and I had a total meltdown…not that I wasn’t having other odd crying episodes before that. Such an important thing to get out there!
Thanks ladies, so glad to know I wasn’t the only snotty, teary, ball of emotions shortly after delivery. I remember how embarrassed/mad/helpless/confused I felt when the tears just kept coming for NO reason! I was so happy too Cheryl, yet I was crying as if something horrible happend.
Sarah-as for postpartum being a myth-umm no. I’m very sad to hear a mother would actually say that to her daughter! Postpartum is very very real, and several of my friends who have never had any symptoms of depression before having their baby dealt with it.
Like I said in the blog, I knew all about postpartum but the baby blues are almost just as bad.