Postpartum depression is very serious. If you suspect that you or a loved one has depression after having a baby, call the physician or hospital right away for help.

“Baby blues” are common feelings of sadness or feeling down that happen about 3 to 5 days after delivery. The “baby blues” are not severe and usually start to go away after several days to 2 weeks. About 7 to 8 out of every 10 new moms get postpartum blues. Try to do things to help yourself feel better like talking to someone close, getting enough rest, eating frequent healthy meals and snacks, and taking a walk outside. Also don’t be ashamed to ask for help. If your feelings of sadness are more severe or don’t go away, you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression happens in about 1 out of every 10 new moms. These new moms often feel severe depression, anger, overwhelming despair or hopelessness. The sadness is so severe that it interferes with their sleeping, eating, caring for themselves as well as the baby. Some new moms with postpartum depression have thoughts of harming themselves and/or the baby. If a woman has a history of mood disorders, previous postpartum depression, or a recent stress, she is more likely to have postpartum depression. Talk to your doctor immediately if you think you may have postpartum depression.

For more reading on postpartum depression, check out Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields.