One of the most common problems faced by new mothers who are juggling motherhood, breastfeeding and a whole new routine is the teary moments.

Our local mothers are still not very much aware of post-natal blues. However, over at MyMomsBest online forum, we often provide a listening ear to new moms. Most times, they feel a lot better after sharing their situations with other mothers.

In UK, they have a Bluebell Day which is on 6th June. This is what I picked up from the internet.

Bluebell Day will help raise funds for support services around Scotland. The condition is said to be a major killer of women within a year of childbirth.

It is thought to affect more than 10,000 mothers every year in Scotland.

The first Bluebell Day will be on 6 June and bluebell badges will be sold to raise money for services such as counselling for sufferers.

Source

I did a Google search under keywords ‘ob-gyn post natal blues’ and am surprised that MyMomsBest website came out 1st on the thread.

Can you tell me more about post-natal blues?
Post-natal blues is common and unrecognised most times. I think it helps to learn to let go a little, ie. take mothering one step at a time, let someone else looks after the baby on and off, and go out of the house often!

You will find that with the second baby onwards, mums generally are get better very quickly. I think it comes with confidence. So, I think assurances helps and it is transient. Medically, as doctors, we step in when there is clear post-natal depression. – A lady ob-gyn in KL

Let’s do our part in recognising post-natal blues signs and symptoms and help our friends, colleagues, relatives who are new mothers. Give them a listening ear, a hug and be there for them. Tell them to seek their ob-gyn’s advices if they feel overwhelmed. Most times, we are not sure if our doctors are ready to listen to our situation because we may feel that these are trivial matters. It is not. Ask the ob-gyn for opinions and help. They are trained to help.

What are the symptoms?

In addition to mood fluctuations, the woman becomes preoccupied with the infant’s well-being. The intensity of this varies — the preoccupation may become delusional. Women who are depressed may feel withdrawn and unconnected to their baby, and can even feel as if they might harm the baby.

The presence of severe or delusional thoughts about the infant are symptoms that need immediate attention. These can be accompanied by psychotic “command hallucinations” to kill the infant or delusions that the infant is possessed.

Source

Lastly, join a support group. If there is none around your area, there is always MyMomsBest online forum. It is one of the greatest group of mothers around. We are a non-commercial site with the sole purpose of providing peer support to a multitude of issues faced by parents.

Originally posted 2005-07-24 11:56:45.