| Changes in hormone levels after childbirth can | | | | worse, you could be suffering from postnatal |
| profoundly affect the emotions. In most women, | | | | depression. |
| emotional swings - the "baby blues" - last only a few | | | | There are many reasons why postnatal depression |
| days, but in others they lead to more prolonged, | | | | occurs. It depends on you as a person, your personal |
| serious condition called postnatal depression. | | | | circumstances and the way your baby behaves. The |
| Baby blues | | | | following risk factors may make you more |
| The "baby blues" are mood swings caused by | | | | susceptible to postpartum depression - |
| hormonal changes. In all likelihood this period of feeling | | | | - If you enjoyed a senior position at work or |
| low one minute and euphoric the next will not last | | | | high-flying career before the birth, it can be difficult |
| beyond the first week but you still need a lot of | | | | to adjust to the status changed. |
| support to get you through it. | | | | - If you already have difficulties in your relationship, |
| Maybe the "baby blues" are a natural sign to those | | | | the baby may make them worse; this in itself may |
| around you that you need time and space to come | | | | lead to disillusionment and low self-esteem. |
| to terms with being a mother. | | | | - If you had an unexpectedly difficult birth |
| Your hormones, progesterone and oestrogen, will | | | | experience, you could easily feel demoralized and feel |
| have been high during pregnancy. After you have had | | | | that you have failed in some way. |
| your baby, these hormone levels drop and your body | | | | - If you have had depression in the past, you are |
| may find it difficult to adjust. | | | | more prone to it now. |
| This can have a marked effect on your emotions. | | | | - A very demanding, sleepless baby can trigger it |
| With this, and the fact that you are probably | | | | from sheer exhaustion. |
| completely exhausted from the labour and lack of | | | | - If you have particularly difficult living conditions and |
| sleep, it is not at all surprising that you may not be | | | | no support network, this can exacerbate postnatal |
| feeling on top of the world. | | | | depression. |
| Postnatal depression | | | | - If you have bottled up your emotions and not |
| If symptoms that started out as the common "baby | | | | sought help early on, postnatal depression may |
| blues" do not go away and in fact, start to become | | | | develop. |