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Postpartum Depression - Alcove Health Women's Clinic Newport News, VA

Postpartum Depression

One thing I wish someone had talked to me about after I had my first child was postpartum depression...

Pregnancy, whether it is expected or not, can be hard. It is an individual experience; all women experience it differently. We can have all kinds of feelings during and after our pregnancies. Some of these feelings can be confusing and scary. People talked to me about a lot of things during my pregnancy: ultrasounds, nutrition, and preparing for childbirth; but one thing I wish someone had talked to me about after I had my first child, was postpartum depression.

What is postpartum depression (PPD)?

  • PPD is a mental health condition that begins around 4-6 weeks after birth. This is different from typical periods of sadness or temporary mood swings that can be experienced after birth which are often called the “baby blues.”

Signs and Symptoms of postpartum depression.

  • Emotional symptoms:
    • Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and/or emptiness.
    • Crying all the time.
    • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness as well as feelings of numbness.
    • Anxiety, restlessness, or irritability/anger.
    • Having a hard time bonding with the baby.
  • Behavioral Symptoms:
    • Isolation or withdrawing from family and friends.
    • Lack of interest in activities that you once enjoyed.
    • Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions.
  • Physical Symptoms:
    • Loss of energy or fatigue.
    • Changes in eating habits such as overeating or loss of appetite.
    • Oversleeping or insomnia.

Many women experience postpartum depression. About 1 in 7 women within the first year of childbirth will be diagnosed. However, up to 50% of women go undiagnosed. This can be due to many reasons. Some doctors are not trained to notice it, some women are hesitant to talk to their doctors about it or don’t even know who to talk to. For me, I kept telling myself I was fine and that it was just “the baby blues” so I didn’t ask for help. It wasn’t until my 3rd baby that I actually talked to someone about it.

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I remember my mother-in-law was holding my daughter. She was about 5 weeks old. I started feeling like she was going to steal her from me. I ran to my daughter and grabbed her from my mother-in-law’s arms and ran to my room. I knew she wasn’t trying to take her way from me, but those feelings were REAL.

I also found myself hiding away from everyone. I didn’t want to be away from my daughter and when someone else asked to hold her, I began to cry uncontrollably. With my first daughter, I didn’t feel connected to her. I felt like she was someone else’s baby, and I felt really guilty about that. These are symptoms of postpartum depression. Thankfully, I was able to get help with my third child.

How to get help for postpartum depression.

  • Tell someone! If you are worried you might be going through postpartum depression, the first step is to tell someone.
  • If you don’t feel comfortable telling a friend or family member, talk to your doctor. Your OB/GYN should be able to point you in the right direction.

How to treat postpartum depression.

There are different ways to treat PPD. Doctors can suggest one or all of these methods.

    • This could look like sleeping when the baby sleeps.
    • Asking for help and being specific about what kind of help you want. For me I wanted someone to help with housework, not hold my baby.
    • Diet and exercise. Getting out and taking a walk is good for you and for your baby.
    • Social support. Mom groups, friends, family, church family are all ways to build your support system and connect with other moms who might be going through something similar.
    • Spiritual support. Faith-based counseling that incorporates spiritual practices into healing.

Severe symptoms of postpartum depression.

Sometimes women experience severe PPD. Symptoms can develop days after birth. If you are feeling like you are at risk of hurting yourself, your baby, or someone else, this is a medical emergency. Some other symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, unusual and dangerous behavior, and disorganized thoughts.

This is a very rare condition that appears quickly within the first few days or weeks after delivery. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, please reach out to a professional. You can also call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262 or dial 988 for free and confidential support.

How can Alcove Health help?

Alcove Health Women’s Clinic provides many services for the women in our community. We can help connect you with resources, offer free limited STI testing and pregnancy testing, abortion consultations, and much more. Alcove Health believes in serving the women in our community with dignity, respect, and kindness. All our services are FREE and confidential. If you’re wondering if you should give us a call, don’t hesitate, we’re here for you! Call or click here to schedule an appointment today.

By Jenn, Senior Client Advocate

January 28, 2025

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