Postpartum Depression

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Postpartum Depression (Aftercare Instructions) Care Guide

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression Aftercare Instructions
En Espanol

Postpartum depression is a type of mood disorder after giving birth. A mood is an emotion or a feeling that affects our behavior (how we act). Your mood also affects how you feel about yourself and life in general. Depression is a sad mood that you cannot control.
Women often feel sad, afraid, angry, or nervous after their baby is born. These are called postpartum or baby blues. They usually go away in 1 or 2 weeks. With postpartum depression, symptoms get worse and stay for more than 2 weeks. It affects your daily activities and relationships.
Symptoms include frequent crying, lack of energy to do things, and having a hard time concentrating or making decisions. Loss of appetite, weight loss, confusion, irritation and trouble sleeping may also be present. You may have feelings of low self worth. Caregivers diagnose postpartum depression based on your symptoms and how it affects your daily activities and relationships. Treatment includes psychotherapy and medicines. Postpartum depression is a serious condition and early diagnosis and treatments are needed to prevent further problems.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

What I can do to feel better:

Rest is important. Do not try to do everything all at the same time. Do only what is needed and let other things wait until later. Ask your partner, family, or friends for help, especially if you have other children.
Try to sleep when your baby naps. Ask your partner to help with night feedings or other baby needs if possible.
Share your feelings with your partner, a friend, or another mother. Often just talking things out with someone you trust is a big help.
Take good care of yourself. Shower and dress each day. Don not forget to eat. Try to get out of the house a little each day. Go for a walk or meet with a friend. Get a baby-sitter or take the baby with you. Be sure to spend time with your partner. It is also important for you to have some time by yourself each day.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

You cannot make it to your next meeting with your caregiver.
You feel more depressed, or your depression does not go away.
You need to talk about your problems. You may call a caregiver, a hospital emergency department, or a mental health center. They can help you through your feelings. They also may be able to help you find a support group of other women who have felt this way.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You feel like or think about hurting or killing yourself, your baby, or someone else.

Call 911 or 0 (operator).

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.