Postpartum depression hits a large percentage of pregnant women after delivery. Some feel that every new mother suffers from some degree of the condition within a few days of giving birth. The primary cause for the depression is the surging hormones following delivery, and the degree to which you’re affected is not something you can control.

Degrees of Depression
At the light end of postpartum depression is the condition called “Baby Blues.” When a new mother is suddenly weepy for no apparent reason, is worried constantly about her baby and feels like motherhood is suddenly overwhelming, she has what is considered by many to be a very normal, routine effect to hormones and emotions following delivery. Baby Blues pass in a few days or a week once your system has settled back down. For years all degrees of depression were written off as Baby Blues, but now there is much more support for mothers who suffer from a more extreme case of depression.

Postpartum Depression
When full scale depression hits, the mother might feel sad, but she might also feel angry, frustrated and even apathy toward her baby. Her feelings of worry for her little one might be so overwhelming she can’t function or care for him correctly. She might be so frustrated and down that she doesn’t always keep the baby’s best interests at heart and in very extreme cases might even harm her child.

Dealing with Postpartum Depression
Some rocky emotions following delivery are normal, but if you suspect your emotions are going beyond a few good sobs and tearful midnight feedings, call your doctor immediately to seek out assistance. In rare cases, doctors treat postpartum depression lightly when it is indeed serious, so if you’re unsatisfied with your doctor’s handling of your concerns, continue to seek help. Your baby and your own condition are too important not to be treated properly.