The “Baby Blues” or Postpartum Depression?

From the time that you find out you’re pregnant, both the baby and the birth become your biggest focus – and sometimes also your biggest stress. You may even go to the ends of the earth trying to ensure that you stay healthy. You may attend antenatal classes, choose a birth option, and get ready for the arrival of your newborn… And, as you should be. However, have you ever thought about what happens after the baby arrives? Have you put any preparatory measures in place for the period after baby’s birth? 

When thinking of post-birth preparation, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it:

Changing nappies
Bathing baby
Sleep
Or breastfeeding vs. formula?

Even though the above is what most mothers worry about, you can be assured that it’s not as difficult as you may anticipate, and you should get it right after a few tries.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about the often-neglected topic of self-care once baby has arrived. We all know the saying, “you cannot pour from an empty cup”, which affirms the importance of taking care of yourself too, and not only worrying about the baby. Moms, don’t forget to re-fill your cups with a much-needed top-up!

 

My story

After having my second child, I suffered with, what is labelled as, the “Baby Blues” (postpartum depression). This stemmed from my pregnancy. I mean, finding out that you’re pregnant at 16 weeks is no joke at all! The stress just flooded in at that moment.

After my first born, I was unsure which contraceptive method was best, so I opted out. When breastfeeding, it’s fairly common knowledge that the mother should pay extra special attention to what she eats, drinks and consumes medically. Also, you know that old saying, “you can’t fall pregnant when you’re breastfeeding”? Uhm, total myth. Although breastfeeding offers some protection from ovulation, the monthly occurrence whereby a mature egg is released from one of your ovaries reinstates, meaning that it is definitely possible to ovulate and fall pregnant prior to getting your first period (Sinrich, 2022).

After 4 months (March 2018), Callum had started to refuse the breast, so I started bottle feeding with breastmilk. I eventually had to switch over to formula, due to a lack of breastmilk. This was when I had paid the gynae a visit to discuss my contraceptive options, and had decided to go with the IUD. I had my scan done, was given the all clear and had my IUD inserted. I thought I was good to go for the next 5 years. A month down the line (April 2018), I started feeling sick. The doctor advised that I had a bladder infection, and that’s what I was treated for. I started feeling better, but, a month later (May 2018), I started getting severe stomach pains. Back to the doctor I went to get treated for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Another few weeks passed and I still felt no better. I decided to call my gynae, because I thought it may be possible that something with my IUD just wasn’t right. She told me to go for a blood test, because I might be pregnant. I responded, “But HOW? What happened to 5 years?”, so she gave me the stats. According to Mirena, the manufacturer of the hormonal type of IUD, fewer than eight out of 1,000 women (0.8 percent) fall pregnant over five years of using the device (Rettner, 2017). In that moment, all I could think was “I’m one of those ladies in 1 to 7 range”. I got the bloods done on the same day out of sheer panic. To my surpise, they came back showing positive numbers. The gynae indicated that I may be around 8 weeks along, so “Yes, Mrs Williams, you’re in the ‘fewer than 8 out of 1000 ladies’ range”. She then instructed me to come see and see her in the next few weeks for a scan.

On 6^th June 2018, I rocked up for my scan, only to discover that I was pregnant with a baby the size of an apple, and that I was around 16 weeks pregnant.

So many thoughts ran through my mind, but the loudest one – screaming out – was, “HOW”? How did this happen, and how did I not know – or realise – that I was pregnant? Turns out that, at my very first scan, before inserting the IUD, I was pregnant already. It was just too early for anything to be seen on the ultrasound.

At this stage, I was, not only trying to cope with the emotion of being pregnant (or being 16 weeks pregnant for that matter), but also flustered, knowing the dangers involved with having an IUD while pregnant. Studies have shown that the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and infection of the amniotic sac and fluid before delivery (chorioamnionitis), is significantly higher when IUDs are left in place during pregnancy, compared to pregnancies where the IUD is removed. Additionally, while taking out the IUD improves the possible pregnancy outcome, there is still a higher risk of pregnancy complications in women who use the IUD contraceptive, compared to patients who never had an IUD in place (Horsager-Boehrer, 2018). 

My decision was to leave it in place, as it was not clearly visible on the ultrasound. Each visit we would look and still could not find it. Can you imagine the stress? I fell ill quite often during my pregnancy, so it was definitely a difficult one. But, thank God for my healthy little boy, who was born in November 2018. I call him “my miracle baby”, because, even though I wasn’t ready to have him, God knew I needed him and protected him in the womb.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still – Exodus 14:14.

When Austin was born, there was still no sign of the IUD. I delivered the placenta, and after examining it, they found the IUD, embedded ever so deeply.

The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life – Psalm 121: 7

 

 

Now that you know my story, you can understand what I mean when I say, “my baby blues stemmed from pregnancy”. After a few weeks at home with 2 babies (a one-year-old and a new born), I wasn’t coping. That was the heightening of the blues for me. When I look back now, I think I did a really good job at hiding the fact that I wasn’t coping because of the expectation that I was meant to be this “supermom”… But at what cost? 

Today, I realise how important it is to have strategies and remedies in place to help you ease into motherhood, and even ease into having another child. It really can go a long way towards making the process a little easier.

A little more on postpartum mood disorders

These can range from some baby blues on day 3, to full-blown postnatal depression and even psychosis. There are various symptoms linked to postpartum depression, and each woman’s experience differs. Up to 80% of women experience baby blues, with symptoms like tearfulness for no apparent reason, anxiety, irritability and feeling overly sensitive (Da Silva, 2022).

So, what’s the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression? Baby blues should clear up after 2-3 weeks. With support and understanding from those around you, medical treatment should not be necessary. However, if you feel like these symptoms are not getting any better, it may be a sign of something more serious and you should seek further help (Da Silva, 2022).

Did I know the difference then? No! I totally labelled it as baby blues, and thought it would blow over. Sadly, postpartum depression remains largely undiagnosed, due to so many women only realising that they actually had it, years later, when they look back at their experience (this is me – I now know).

Symptoms of postpartum depression I battled with: 

Difficulty sleeping, insomnia and exhaustion
Changes in appetite, weight gain
Lack of energy
Anxiety and weeping (with no consolation)
Feelings that the baby is better off without you as their mom
No urge to socialise with friends

It’s so important to recognise that most moms, in the early stages, could feel some of these symptoms… The real questions are, “How often are they feeling that way?”, “How severe are those feelings?”, and “Do they supersede those of the early months after having a baby?”. It’s important to recognise that almost all new mothers will experience at least some of the above symptoms, at some stage of the early months after having a baby.

My advice to you, if you at all feel this kind of way during the early days or longer thereafter – seek help. You are never alone on this journey of motherhood. 

Some starting points to get you going: 

Consider speaking to a postpartum doula

A postpartum doula is a professional, trained to work with a new mother through the period after birth.
Look after your body and your health
Follow a healthy diet and get some exercise, even if it’s just a stroll with baby in the pram).
Have a support system
Surround yourself with loved ones and friends who want to be there for you. Don’t shut them out – let them in.

Pegasus Maternity Kit: 

One of the natural remedies in this kit aids in the relief of post natal depression. Read more here. 

You can find help at the following places:

• PNDSA – Post Natal Depression Support Association: www.pndsa.org.za 
• The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): www.sadag.org/
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Support Groups in South Africa: www.adaa.org

 

References for this blog post:

• Sinrich, J. (2022). Is It Possible to Get Pregnant While You're Breastfeeding? Retrieved from: https://www.whattoexpect.com. (Accessed 22 June 2022).
• Da Silva, A. (2022). Baby blues and postnatal depression – don’t be caught unaware. Retrieved from: https://babywombworld.co.za. (Accessed 22 June 2022).
• Rettner, R. (2017). How can you get pregnant using an IUD? Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com. (Accessed 22 June 2022)
• Horsager-Boehrer, R (2018). What happens if I get pregnant with an IUD? Retrieved from: https://utswmed.org. (Accessed 22 June 2022).