After giving birth, many women experience major changes in physical, hormonal and psychological conditions. Many pregnant women experience sadness, easily emotional, or fatigue in the early days of taking care of their children.
However, if the negative manifestations are prolonged and increasingly serious, this may no longer be a normal postpartum depression but a sign of postpartum depression (a serious mental health problem) that needs timely attention and intervention.
Regarding this issue, Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung - Mai Huong Day Mental Hospital - said that postpartum depression (baby blues) is the lightest state, usually breakthrough on the 3rd - 5th day and only lasts for about 10 days.
About 60-70% of postpartum women have experienced feelings of sadness and discouragement with manifestations such as gloom, easily emotional, emotional changes or irritability. This is a common psychological reaction, not dangerous," said Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung.
However, postpartum depression is a much more serious and severe condition. According to Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung, the disease is usually only diagnosed when the pregnant woman has at least 5 negative symptoms lasting over 2 weeks and affecting daily life.
''Characteristic signs include feelings of boredom, despair, prolonged emptiness. Many people lose interest, reduce interest in most of the activities they once loved and what happens around them,'' the doctor emphasized.
In addition, pregnant women may experience sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleeping too much or frequently having nightmares.
''Some cases are also overly worried about their children, afraid to take care of them, or afraid that they may hurt their children,'' the doctor said.
Dr. Nguyen Khac Dung emphasized that when these symptoms last and affect health, daily life or care for the baby, pregnant women need to have a specialist examination to receive timely support, avoiding unfortunate consequences for both mother and child.
