The baby blues is a period of sadness that mothers can experience in the first several days after a newborn arrives. In fact, it is quite normal to go through all kinds of emotions – highs and lows.

Sometimes negative feelings can linger or even show up weeks after the baby is delivered. These feelings can leave you feeling completely out of sorts. The medical term for this long state of feeling down is “post-partum depression.”

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that patients contact their medical provider within three weeks after having a child, in part to see how mothers are doing with these feelings. It’s important to speak with a medical professional when you are feeling “off” or “down.”

Signs of post-partum depression include an inability to feel happy, loss of interest in your newborn or inability to care for your newborn, thoughts of hurting yourself or your newborn, increased appetite, loss of appetite, lethargy and fatigue, loss of interest in doing things you enjoy, and major changes in concentration. Depression can look a little different for everyone. That’s why it is important to discuss how you are feeling with your doctor.

Treatment for post-partum depression usually involves a couple of different approaches. Just talking with someone about the feelings you are having goes a long way in helping you feel better. Letting a medical health provider know that you need help is the first step in treatment and getting back to feeling better.

The health care provider will likely suggest that you speak with a counselor or therapist. They are trained professionals who can teach some extra tools to help you manage the changes you are going through.

Sometimes, health care providers suggest starting medications that are designed to help balance the patient’s mood. One way to think about this type of depression is to imagine a scale. In depression, the scale has tipped too far towards sadness. Medications simply help bring the scale back to its normal balanced state.

Over time, some patients find that they feel better on these medications and will continue taking them for years. Other patients find that over time they no longer need the medications to feel themselves and are able to stop taking them. Whatever the long-term plan for working with a therapist or medications is, the most important thing is that you feel like yourself.

Having a baby is exciting, but also very stressful. It’s OK to feel a little down when you have a baby. Go ahead and give yourself some credit for doing such a great thing. Know that you’re not alone in feeling sad or depressed. Talking with your medical provider is the first step in getting back to happy.