What is maternity blue? About the main symptoms and causes

Even though you should be happy after having a baby, you may suddenly feel depressed or sad. Let's learn about the "maternity blues", what is happening and how to deal with them.

What is maternity blue?

The official name is ``maternity blues,'' which refers to the mental symptoms such as depression and irritability that occur to mothers immediately after giving birth. It is said that about 30-50% of mothers experience it.
Immediately after your baby is born and you are supposed to be full of happiness, you may be surprised or confused by the sudden onset of negative emotions, but don't worry, this is not that unusual.

From when to when?

It usually occurs from a few days to two weeks after childbirth, and subsides in about 3 to 4 days, or at most 10 days to 2 weeks.
I can't make a general statement because how people feel about it varies from person to person, but it's definitely a temporary thing.

What is maternity blue in a broader sense?

The original maternity blues are as described above, but in recent years, the term "maternity blues" has increasingly been used to refer to the anxiety symptoms that occur during pregnancy and after childbirth.
In a broader sense, maternity blues often occur from early to mid-pregnancy, and up to about one month after giving birth.

What exactly happens?

The most noticeable features are feeling depressed and crying suddenly. You tend to feel irritated, impatient, and anxious, and you may be unable to control your emotions. You may feel helpless and self-loathing.
In addition to mental illness, disturbances in the autonomic nervous system tend to cause physical symptoms such as insomnia, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, and overeating/anorexia.

What is the cause?

The biggest cause is sudden changes in hormonal balance. When you become pregnant, your body produces a rapid increase in special hormones that help stabilize the pregnancy and make it easier for your baby to grow. Also, after giving birth, the female hormones that increased after pregnancy suddenly decrease. This affects your mental state and autonomic nervous system.
Also, during pregnancy, there is a lot of anxiety because there are so many things you have never experienced before, and it is also a time when you can easily feel stress. After giving birth, it's a time when raising a child doesn't go as planned or when you're likely to feel physically and mentally tired from caring for a baby you're not used to. Such burdens can cause physical and mental changes.

What should you do if you get maternity blues?

Maternity blues are not a disease. Since it is a physiological phenomenon that only appears for a short period of time, there is no need to visit the hospital or take medication in most cases. Even if you leave it alone, it will subside over time.
However, each person perceives spiciness differently. If you feel it is painful, please do not push yourself too hard and consult your midwife or obstetrician/gynecologist.

Are there times when you need to be careful?

You need to be careful if your symptoms are severe, if they don't seem to subside after a certain period of time, or if you were originally hospitalized at a psychiatry or psychosomatic clinic. This is because it is not just a temporary feeling of maternity blues, but may develop into ``pregnancy depression'' or ``postpartum depression.''
Since it cannot be measured numerically, it is difficult to determine whether medical examination or treatment is necessary, but if you are concerned, it may be a good idea to consult a medical institution.

Will it happen to dad too?

It may come as a surprise, but a phenomenon like maternity blues can also occur to fathers. It's called "Paternity Blue."
It seems that about 10% of fathers experience mental and physical problems due to the pressure and anxiety of becoming a father, as well as changes in their living environment. This may be triggered by a feeling of isolation and loneliness when the mother is overwhelmed with caring for the baby. Dads should not be left alone, but should relieve their anxiety and stress by consulting with older dads or relying on support from the local government.

Give yourself a round of applause!

Giving birth to a baby after a long gestation period is difficult. Moreover, this is not the goal, but the beginning of life with a baby, which is not easy. Even if you exceed your capacity, it's no wonder.
Recognize your hard work and take care of yourself by saying, ``I'm doing such a great job, so let's praise you!''
The more serious and hard-working mothers are, the more likely they are to blame themselves for not being able to do their job properly, or to push themselves to try harder. It's okay to relax your shoulders, take a break, and rely on those around you. If you are having a difficult time, consult a medical institution, local government health center, or comprehensive support center for families raising children.

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