Signs Of Postpartum Depression- Loneliness, Feeling Fat And Sore

While the wait is over and you have your bundle of joy in your arms – do you feel something is missing? Do you feel that tired, fat, sleep deprived and even sore at times? If it helps you in feeling good about yourself then do remember that you are not the only one feeling like this and while feelings like these can be a first sign of postpartum depression. Here’s what you can do when you are plagued with these feelings.

How To Recognise The Signs Of Postpartum Depression

1. Feeling fat all the time: So you are feeling fat most of the time. Well remember that you have just delivered a miracle – a miracle you were nurturing in your womb for last 9 months. So it will take some time for your body to get back to its previous shape. Instead of feeling fat and allowing negative feelings to crowd your mind, think about your baby and the positive changes he or she has brought in your life.
2. You feel sore: The changes your body underwent in preparation to give birth to your baby will leave some aftereffects like swelling due to the stitches, hemorrhoids and other things. Your nipples may also feel sore if you are not breastfeeding properly or if the baby is not latching properly. So consult a good lactation expert for proper breastfeeding technique. As for other soreness, take ample rest, eat well and if possible go for hot water bottle technique to get some relief from soreness.
3. Being sleep deprived: Being sleep deprived is a given thing in new mommies. As you are constantly at your baby’s beck and call, you are bound to feel sleep deprived. Take help from your partner or extended family and catch some sleep.
4. Blaming on the hormones: Post-delivery also hormones will be all over the place thus making you cranky, irritated at the slightest provocation. So take more rest and eat healthy to avoid crankiness and sleeplessness.
5. You feel alone: Since you will be running errands of the household and looking after your baby all round the clock, you will feel that you are all alone in this and might even blame your husband for not being involved. But you need to understand that he too has been doing things from his side and if he’s not much in to it then relax and involve him in your baby related tasks such as changing diapers, bathing the child, putting him/her to sleep or taking your child out for a walk when he/she feels cranky.

No matter how much sleep you lose, you and your partner need to be in this together and catching up on some quality time with each other will also help you to keep the spark alive. If you are anxious then get some help from your relatives or friends so you can cope up soon.