How to recognize and deal with the challenges of the 4th trimester.
The birth of a baby can start a variety of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.
The weeks following birth are a critical period for a you and your baby, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being. You are adapting and healing from multiple physical, social, and emotional stresses that range from mild to traumatic.
While you are recovering from childbirth, adjusting to changing hormones, and learning to feed and care for her newborn. This can present challenges that were not anticipated or even discussed before your child was born, causing the joy and excitement to turn into sleeplessness, fatigue, body pain, and breastfeeding difficulties. Many need to reevaluate previous health care conditions and other family health or social issues.
Many describe this time as lonely; many have overwhelming support during pregnancy and delivery with: Midwives, Doulas, OB's, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and Massage therapist. But this support diminishes after the baby is born. Here at Safe Haven Chiropractic, we are committed to a new commitment to 4th trimester care. We consider the first 6 weeks post birth as part of prenatal care, and work with mom and baby to integrate and heal from the stress of delivery.
Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. This can be caused by sleeplessness and babies, crying or colicky babies, Baby blues usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks.
But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Sometimes it's called peripartum depression because it can start during pregnancy and continue after childbirth.
Postpartum blues or depression is not a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.
Products & Services
Dancy Perinatal Counseling is offering online counseling, group and classes for postpartum families. Insurance coverage is also available.
They also offer online therapist-led support groups and classes.
The weeks following birth are a critical period for a you and your baby, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being. You are adapting and healing from multiple physical, social, and emotional stresses that range from mild to traumatic.
While you are recovering from childbirth, adjusting to changing hormones, and learning to feed and care for her newborn. This can present challenges that were not anticipated or even discussed before your child was born, causing the joy and excitement to turn into sleeplessness, fatigue, body pain, and breastfeeding difficulties. Many need to reevaluate previous health care conditions and other family health or social issues.
Many describe this time as lonely; many have overwhelming support during pregnancy and delivery with: Midwives, Doulas, OB's, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and Massage therapist. But this support diminishes after the baby is born. Here at Safe Haven Chiropractic, we are committed to a new commitment to 4th trimester care. We consider the first 6 weeks post birth as part of prenatal care, and work with mom and baby to integrate and heal from the stress of delivery.
Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. This can be caused by sleeplessness and babies, crying or colicky babies, Baby blues usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks.
But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Sometimes it's called peripartum depression because it can start during pregnancy and continue after childbirth.
Postpartum blues or depression is not a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.
Products & Services
Dancy Perinatal Counseling is offering online counseling, group and classes for postpartum families. Insurance coverage is also available.
They also offer online therapist-led support groups and classes.
- Postpartum depression and anxiety
- Birth trauma and PTSD
- Mood disorders during pregnancy
- Infertility
- Miscarriage and Stillbirth
- Infant loss
- Suicidality and self harm
- Sexual relationship issues
- Partner transitions and parenthood
- Surrogacy
- Intersectionality and birth
- ...and more
Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first — but the symptoms are more intense and last longer. These may eventually interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth. But they may begin earlier — during pregnancy — or later — up to a year after birth.
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
When to see a doctor
If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your primary health care provider or your obstetrician or gynecologist and schedule an appointment. If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, get help immediately.
It's important to call your provider as soon as possible if the symptoms of depression have any of these features:
If at any point you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately seek help from your partner or loved ones in taking care of your baby. Call 911 or your local emergency assistance number to get help.
Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Crying too much
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
- Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that you're not a good mother
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
When to see a doctor
If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your primary health care provider or your obstetrician or gynecologist and schedule an appointment. If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, get help immediately.
It's important to call your provider as soon as possible if the symptoms of depression have any of these features:
- Don't fade after two weeks.
- Are getting worse.
- Make it hard for you to care for your baby.
- Make it hard to complete everyday tasks.
- Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
If at any point you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately seek help from your partner or loved ones in taking care of your baby. Call 911 or your local emergency assistance number to get help.
Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:
- Seek help from a health care provider.
- Call a mental health provider.
- Contact a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.
