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Postpartum Distress Syndrome After your baby is born, you may feel emotional. You may even wonder if having a baby was a good idea. This is called postpartum distress. Many women experience some degree of postpartum distress; in fact, up to 80% of all women have "baby blues." It usually appears between 2 days and 2 weeks after the baby is born. Baby blues are temporary and usually leave as quickly as they come.

Many experts consider some degree of postpartum distress to be normal. Symptoms vary:
• anxiety
• exhaustion
• irritability
• lack of feeling for the baby
• oversensitivity
• crying for no reason
• impatience
• lack of confidence
• low self-esteem
• restlessness

If you believe you may be suffering from some form of postpartum distress, contact your healthcare provider. Every postpartum reaction, whether mild or severe, is usually temporary and treatable.
The mildest form of postpartum distress is baby blues. This situation lasts only a couple of weeks, and symptoms do not worsen.

A more serious version of postpartum distress is called postpartum depression (PPO). It affects about 10% of all new mothers. The difference between baby blues and postpartum depression lies in the frequency, intensity and duration of the symptoms.

PPD can occur from 2 weeks to 1 year after the birth. A mother may have feelings of anger, confusion, panic and hopelessness. She may experience changes in her eating and sleeping patterns. She may fear she will hurt her baby or feel as if she is going crazy. Anxiety is one of the major symptoms of PPD
The most serious form of postpartum distress is postpartum psychosis. The woman may have hallucinations, think about suicide or try to harm the baby.

We don't really know what causes postpartum distress; not all women experience it. We believe a woman's individual sensitivity to hormonal changes may be the cause, but hormones are only part of it.
One of the most important ways you can help yourself is to have a good support system. Ask family members and friends to help. Ask your mother or mother-in-law to stay for a while. Ask your husband to take some work leave, or hire someone to come in and help each day.

After your baby is born, you may be surprised if you find yourself feeling sad or unhappy. Many women experience some degree of postpartum distress.