postpartum blues
Last reviewed 01/2018
Postpartum blues is a mild and transient disturbance in mood occurring between the 3rd and 6th day after delivery. Estimates of incidence vary between 50-70%, and it is more common in primiparae.
Usual features include crying, fatigue, sensitivity to criticism, anxiety, irritability, helplessness and lability of mood. Symptoms last from few hours to a few days.
There are many causes, including:
- physical discomfort
- the emotional drain of the delivery
- lack of sleep
- anxiety about the ability to cope in the future
- the fear of diminished attractiveness to the partner
- poor relationship with the father
- an unwanted baby
It is a short-lived syndrome which requires support rather than pharmacological treatment.