Beyond Baby Blues

Dr. Fabian Saarloos, Clinical & Health Psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre talks about Postpartum Depression and how to deal with it as a family

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Bringing a new baby into the family can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Statistics show that 1 out of 7 mothers, and 1 out of 10 fathers, experience psychological problems following childbirth, but the number may well be higher as 50 per cent of the cases go undetected. Being confronted with all kinds of changes, not only at home but also within the parent itself, can lead to various positive as well as negative thoughts and feelings. Experiencing negative or discomforting feelings, especially in the first few days following delivery, is called the Baby Blues, and this is considered a normal transient reaction to adapting to the new family life. However, if these negative thoughts and feelings persist for several weeks, it is referred to as postpartum depression, which is a serious mental condition affecting not only the parent but also the child and the whole family.