She should be glowing with joy, cradling her newborn, surrounded by love, and basking in the miracle of life.
But behind the smiles and congratulatory messages, many mothers silently endure a darkness they never expected, and only they can understand.
Often dismissed as “baby blues, postpartum depression (PPD) is real. It is a hidden battle. Yet for many women, it can wither their sense of self, joy, and worth.
This is not just sadness. It is a storm that brews quietly after giving birth, leaving countless mothers feeling isolated, ashamed, and unheard.
It is time we bring this struggle into the light.
Take this story of a friend of mine. She was genuinely happy about giving birth to their first child. Her husband was kind and supportive. But despite her enthusiasm about being a first-time mom, she admitted that she sometimes feels an overwhelming sadness that seems to come out of nowhere. She would sometimes find herself crying for no apparent reason, but after a few days, the feeling would go away.
There are also times when she found herself irritated with her husband. But, as she recalled, she didn’t know why.
The stigma around PPD recently resurfaced when a mother, reportedly overwhelmed by intense emotions and severe depression, allegedly set herself and her three children on fire.
The heartbreaking news shook the public. But behind the horror lies a deeper issue that is often overlooked: PPD can have grave consequences. It serves as yet another reminder that a mother’s mental health must also be given importance. Silence can be a sign of an impending tragedy, and it can never be ignored.
According to the Mayo Clinic, PPD “is not a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it’s simply a complication of giving birth.”
Symptoms of baby blues, which last only a few days to a week or two after your baby is born, may include:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Crying
- Reduced concentration
- Appetite problems
- Trouble sleeping
For mothers who are reading this: if you’re feeling low after giving birth, do not hesitate or feel ashamed to talk about it. If you notice signs of baby blues or PPD, reach out to your primary care provider or OB-GYN.
