This website is designed to serve as a resource for mothers and their families through what may be an emotionally confusing time. We have designed it be a first point of contact. In the following sections we detail what may be some feelings, emotions and challenges during early motherhood. Motherhood is an adjustment and lifestyle change. For some women this transition is made more difficult by a postpartum mood disorder. We attempt to cover a wide range of diagnoses to distinguish between the varying types of postpartum mood disorders. In addition, you will find a variety of links that may serve as a resource to you.

Finally, A Mother's Wings wants to share the stories of mothers and their family members who have been through and continue to work through postpartum mood disorders. We believe it is often through the sharing of these stories that one may find the most powerful messages of hope.

Baby Blues
The baby blues is a very common reaction within the first few days of delivery. Sixty to eighty percent of new mothers experience the baby blues. The symptoms may include tearfulness, irritability, impatience, fatigue, excessive worry and some sleep problems. The baby blues come on suddenly within two to four days after delivery and can last for approximately two weeks. The symptoms can disappear on their own just as quickly as they appear. Please speak with your doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or pediatrician if these symptoms last more than two weeks.

Postpartum Mood Disorders
Postpartum mood disorders may include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety disorder and postpartum psychosis. For those women who experience postpartum mood disorders there may be a sense of shame, embarrassment or feelings of failure.

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects at least 1 in 8 new mothers. The symptoms can appear within days of delivery, or gradually sometimes up to a year after the birth. Symptoms may include:

• Depressed mood most of the day
  
• Fatigue
  
• Lack of interest in the baby
  
• Guilt or feelings of worthlessness
  
• Fear of harming yourself or your baby
  
• Poor concentration
  
• Over concern for your baby
  
• Uncontrollable crying
  
• Lack of appetite
  
• Lack of interest in normal activity
  
• Sleeping too much or too little
  

If you experience any of these symptoms talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife, or pediatrician.

Postpartum Anxiety Disorders
While postpartum depression is the most widely recognized reaction, women may develop an anxiety or obsessive-compulsive response. Some women may not feel depressed, but may have symptoms of anxiety and very distinct physical symptoms. Anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms may include:

• Rapid breathing
  
• Chest pain
  
• Shaking
  
• Dizziness or light headedness
  
• Hot or cold flashes
  
• Fast heart rate
  
• Intense anxiety and/or fear
  
• Sense of doom
  
• Numbness and tingling in hands and/or around mouth
  
• Feeling like you are having a heart attack or are dying
  
• Afraid to leave the house
  
• Intrusive thinking (repetitive, unwanted thoughts)
  
  

If you experience any of these symptoms talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or pediatrician.

Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe and the rarest of postpartum mood disorders. One in 1,000 women experience postpartum psychosis. The onset is usually sudden, within the first 48-72 hours of delivery. Symptoms may include a break in reality such as hallucinations and or delusions and hearing voices. These voices or thoughts may be telling you to hurt yourself or the baby. You also may be very agitated or withdrawn. Postpartum psychosis is an urgent situation and requires immediate intervention. A family member should take the new mom to the hospital immediately and separate her from her child/children.