Baby blues and postpartum depression are extremely common following delivery. Baby blues can occur in 80% of women in the postpartum period. It usually starts within one week after giving birth. Symptoms include: drastic mood swings, elation, and joy followed by sadness, crankiness, and crying spells. If you experience these symptoms, be sure to get plenty of rest and eat well. Ask family and friends for support and help with the baby and your house.
Postpartum depression occurs in 1 out of 10 women in the postpartum period. It can begin any time after birth and may appear for up to a year after delivery. Symptoms inculde: feelings of despair, extreme weight loss/gain due to appetite changes, difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual, crying spells, withdrawal, and attempts to avoid the baby. Women with postpartum depression often feel that they don’t want to get out of bed in the morning that everything is hopeless, that they are staring into a big, black hole, and/or that they don’t want to deal with anyone and wish everyone would leave them alone. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact our office.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare disorder that occurs in one in one thousand women in the postpartum period. It usually occurs within two to three weeks after childbirth. Symptoms include: hallucinations (seeing objects that aren’t really there), delusions, severe insomnia, no interest in eating, extreme anxiety and agitation, suicidal or homicidal thoughts or gestures, and lack of attention to personal hygiene. If you experience ANY of these symptoms, please contact us or proceed to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Postpartum psychosis is a severe medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention. When left untreated, this disorder can have tragic results for both the mother and her child.
As stated above, if you are concerned that you may be suffering from postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis, please contact Dr. Fogwell’s office as soon as possible. Other resources that you may contact include:
- Postpartum Support International – Texas (Multi-lingual)
811 Nueces
Austin, TX 78701
1.800.944.4773 – toll-free
postpartum.net - Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas
624 N. Good-Latimer, Ste. 200
Dallas, TX 75204
214.871.2420
mhadallas.org - Mental Health Association of Tarrant County
3136 W. 4th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817.335.5405
mhatc.org
Texas Department of Family Health Services, Information & Referral Line
1.800.422.2956
2-1-1 Texas (formerly First Call for help)
Free bilingual information and referrals to health and human services and community organizations.
On-line Assistance:
www.hhsc.state.tx.us/tirn/tirnhome.htm
