| name: | Baby Blues |
| also known as: | Maternity Blues; Postpartum Blues; Pregnancy Blues; ICD 648.44 |
| also see: | Postpartum Depression; Depression; Pregnancy; Labor and Delivery; ICD; CPT |
| description: | Baby blues is a short term condition affecting 50-80% of mothers a week or so after birth of a child and lasting for about one month, characterized by crying, tearfulness, labile emotions, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, sleep disturbance, fatigue. Baby blues may be a harbinger for the development of postpartum depression. If the condition goes on for more than a month and/or, if the mother has signs of guilt or suicide, consideration for the diagnosis of postpartum depression should be made. Cause is unknown. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes forgetfulness, poor concentration, crying, tearfulness, labile emotions, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and a sense of inadequacy or being overwhelmed. |
| treatment: | Treatment includes reassurance, emotional support, as well as family support. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person recently gave birth to a child and is thinking about suicide or if the baby might be in jeopardy |
| go to: | Go to the hospital |
| if: | If the person recently gave birth and is becoming depressed, is tired, dragging, sad, gloomy, not eating, losing weight, talking slowly, not thinking clearly, confused, or, if the symptoms persist for 4-6 weeks |
| go to: | Go to the doctor. |
| if: | If the person has postpartum depression and is under the care of a doctor, they should also not stay house bound, but go for walks and visit people, have the baby sleep in a different room, have friends and family come over to visit and to help so the person can sleep or go out to a movie or shopping, don't hold the depression in but share it with the partner or with family and friends, allow time for bonding to take place, eat well balanced meals, and |
| go to: | Go to the pharmacy for a nutritional supplement like Ensure, as well as for multivitamins. |
| if: | If the person would like a depression Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to American Psychiatric Association www.psych.org/public_info/depres~1.htm |
Last updated 6/22/2008