English 
Francais 
عربي 
Baby blues
Even when a pregnancy goes well and both mother and baby are fine, a state of depression can develop during the days or weeks following the birth. Whether transitory or long term, it is important that depression of this kind is identified and a careful watch kept on it.
Very minor problems, known by the hybrid term post-partum blues or baby blues, can occur between three and six days after the birth. They can take different forms and often occur simultaneously: constant crying, irritability, tiredness, memory loss, sleeplessness, vague pains, etc. According to the criteria used in the different studies devoted to this phenomenon, between 3 and 6 women in every 10 experience these symptoms, though they generally only last a few hours or a few days. The mother has the strange feeling that looking after her baby is beyond her strength and ability. Rather than medication, what she needs is someone to talk to and who will give her comfort and reassurance. Then these minor problems will soon disappear.
Later, in the three months following the birth, some genuine symptoms of depression may emerge, or indeed more severe symptoms of a psychotic nature. States of depression in which feelings of anxiety, inability and guilt are combined may well have repercussions for the relationship between the mother and her child and on the parents as a couple.
Medical treatment is needed. This is often a combination of medication and psychotherapy. When the period after the birth is not going the way it should, the mother (or those around her) should not hesitate to open up to the doctor about it.
Print this article
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Send to a friend
Convert to pdf
Copyright Authorization
1 article(s)
