do i have postpartum depression?

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Sounds like you have some postpartum depression going on. Call you doctor and tell him what your feeling. Your body just went through a major change and your hormones are kicking into high gear. Your emotions are out of whack. A lot of women have postpartum depression so don't start thinking your a freak. It's a temporary thing and will go away in a month or so. Your doctor can give you some meds that will help you feel better. Also I read on the baby page about how a lot of moms have all the attention for nine months and when the baby comes everyone turns the attention to the baby and they just forget about the new mommy. My stepdaughter just had a baby 6 weeks ago and I focused on her because I remember reading that. I do everything I can to make sure both mom and baby are doing good.

Enjoy your beautiful baby boy, the love grows stronger with each passing day and it only gets better... Congratulations on the birth of your son, Call your doctor tomorrow morning and know that everything will be O.K.

Hi mama! First of all congratulation on your new baby and your new role as mama!

This is a time that brings a lot of change into your life on many different levels and it is normal to feel confused and even down about life.

First I recommend that you buy yourself a copy of this month's Mothering magazine. They have a huge spread of very informative and insightful info. about ppd.

There is a theory that ppd is an adaptive behavior we use in order to express that we need more help and support. So ppd can be a good thing in that it lets you know that you need more support. Even more support than your partner. You need to talk to other mamas who are going through the same thing as you and often you will find yourself saying, "Oh this is normal? I thought I was crazy! " lol! I can't stress the importance of having a community around you to support you. Are you breastfeeding? LLL meeting are great places to meet other moms and get tons of friendly support. If that is not an option for you ask your midwife/doctor about support groups. Often times there are meeting once a month for moms who just recently had babies.

Sign up for a mommy and me class. Lots of places do post-partuum yoga classes where you bring the new baby with you and there is a time before or after class where everyone discusses the challenges and rewards of having a new baby. Also, exercise helps balance out your system which would decrease ppd. Also, make sure you are eating really healthy food like lots of fresh veggies, whole grains, tons of proteins b/c you are still recovering from pregnancy and birth.

When you see another woman with a young baby go ask how old and you will find how easy it is to talk with new people when you have children in common.

Find another mom to get together with often. Just to have someone in your house laughing while you change pukey sheets for the 4th time that day really makes a difference.

You can do it mama! Everything you are going through is normal. Don't focus on the your family history of depression, focus on what kind of a fabulous mom you want to be!

Hang out in positive parenting forums where other moms will love and support you.

Hugs and support :)

Aren't baby blues and postpartum depression the same thing? I thought they were. Anyway, it sounds like you have it. But the fact the you're acknowledging it and can talk about it is a very good sign. I think the MAIN thing contributing to your depression is not the "new mom" thing, but the fact your boyfriend isn't as involved as you would like. You created this life together and now he's pretty much left it all up to you. That's pretty depressing for any new mom. I think that's what's bothering you the most. If you could get that resolved, your "baby blues" would probably get a lot better.

Time to talk to your boyfriend...tell him how you feel. Tell him you need more participation out of him then he's giving you.

Good luck.

No matter what you want to call it, it needs attention because it is causing you pain and worry. Don't ignore it. Talk to your OB, call a mother's group, or your local mental health clinic. Don't worry though -- this is common and many women feel this. It is hormones affecting your brain. With proper support, guidance, and time, you will likely move out of this period and into a more settled and stable period. You and your boyfriend have some serious communicating to do, though. Being single and parenting a newborn is one thing. Having a partner physically present but emotional distant can be very difficult to wrap your head (and heart) around. Maybe try couple's counseling, or even a minister or priest. If you cannot do that, maybe a parents group together. He needs to be on board.

Yes you might have the what the call after mother blues this is normal, your body has gone through alot and has the responsibilty to bring a child up in this world, it does take a while to get the hormones back to normal. I would talk it out with the man of the house for some more help until the sleeping patern gets back to normal. I would also talk your Gyn at your next appointment just to be sure. Theresa

If you are asking, probably... Post Partum depression has nothing to do with how much you love and cherish your child and everything to do with the hormones that are out of wack in your body after birth. Don't feel guilty or bad about it, it is totally normal. Talk to your OBGYN about it or even your child's pediatircian. they will be able to help you figure out what is going on and how to help you manage the emotions that you are feeling! Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!

here is info on the blues and postpartum depression:

Postpartum blues. A certain amount of insomnia , irritability, tears, overwhelmed feelings, and mood swings are normal during the first days after childbirth. These "baby blues" usually peak around the fourth postpartum day and subside in less than 2 weeks, when hormonal changes have settled down. If you have postpartum blues after childbirth, you're not alone-about half of women have temporary mild depression alternating with happiness after having a baby. 1

Be sure to report any feelings of postpartum blues to your health professional at your first postpartum checkup, so he or she can follow up with you.

Postpartum depression (PPD). Symptoms of postpartum depression can be a continuation or worsening of postpartum blues or can develop in later months after childbirth or pregnancy loss. In some cases, symptoms peak after slowly building for 3 or 4 months. Possible PPD symptoms require evaluation by a health professional.

If you have postpartum depression, you have had five or more depressive symptoms (including one of the first two listed below) for most of the past 2 weeks, including: 1

Depressed mood-tearfulness, hopelessness, and feeling empty inside, with or without severe anxiety .

Loss of pleasure in either all or almost all of your daily activities.

Appetite and weight change-usually a drop in appetite and weight, but sometimes the opposite.

Sleep problems-usually trouble with sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping.

Noticeable change in how you walk and talk-usually restlessness, but sometimes sluggishness.

Extreme fatigue or loss of energy.

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, with no reasonable cause.

Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.

Thoughts about death or suicide. Some women with PPD have fleeting, frightening thoughts of harming their babies; these tend to be fearful thoughts, rather than urges to harm.

Early treatment of PPD is important for both you and your baby. It may be helpful to make a list of postpartum depression symptoms that you can take to your health professional. See a postpartum depression checklist(What is a PDF document?) .

Postpartum psychosis. This severe condition is most likely to affect women with bipolar disorder or a history of postpartum psychosis . Symptoms, which usually develop during the first 3 postpartum weeks (as soon as 1 to 2 days after childbirth), include:

Feeling removed from your baby, other people, and your surroundings (depersonalization).

Disturbed sleep, even when your baby is sleeping.

Extremely confused and disorganized thinking, increasing your risk of harming yourself, your baby, or another person. 3

Drastically changing moods and bizarre behavior.

Extreme agitation or restlessness.

Unusual hallucinations , often involving sight, smell, or touch.

Delusional thinking that isn't based in reality.

Postpartum psychosis is considered an emergency requiring immediate medical treatment. If you have any psychotic symptoms, seek emergency help immediately . Until you tell your health professional and get treatment, you are at high risk of suddenly harming yourself or your baby.

Totally normal. If it doesn't subside in the next month or gets worse to the point where you are contemplating suicide, then seek professional help.

In the meantime, eat healthy and get as much exercise as you can to bring up your endorphin (feel good hormone) levels!

Hon almost everyone gets mood swings after a baby is born. Afterall, your hormones are going all over the place. I would say at this point its "baby blues" that will pass. But please mention it to your doctor and dont let yourself get too down. Take care!