Q Since giving birth I tear up and feel depressed over the smallest things. Could this be postpartum depression, and how should I manage it?
A Mild low mood (the baby blues) is common after childbirth due to sudden hormonal changes and the burden of childcare, and it usually improves within two weeks. However, if it lasts more than two weeks or makes daily life difficult, it may be postpartum depression and professional help is needed.
Detailed Answer
Right after childbirth, estrogen and progesterone drop sharply, and combined with lack of sleep and the burden of childcare, more than half of mothers experience mild low mood and tearfulness (the baby blues). This usually resolves on its own within two weeks after delivery. However, if the low mood continues for more than two weeks, or you feel so listless that caring for the baby is difficult, it is best to suspect postpartum depression and seek a professional evaluation.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, postpartum depression is seen as a state in which qi and blood are depleted by childbirth so that the mind and body are not nourished and the mind becomes unstable. When qi and blood are replenished and the body's foundation stabilizes, the swings of mood often settle as well, so Dongjedang recommends postpartum recovery herbal medicine together with ample rest and emotional support. However, if symptoms are severe or thoughts of self-harm arise, you must seek psychiatric care without delay.
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