I'm pregnant again and have realized that I'm not sure what they meant by that term back then. The postpartum period is the three months or so following childbirth. This three-month postpartum period is one in which the woman's body stabilizes after childbirth, and the new parents go through an emotional adjustment. Parents take on a parental role 24 hours a day, usually with no relief. With all these changes, it's no wonder some women go through postpartum depression, which is characterized by irritability, exhaustion, crying spells, unpredictable mood changes and occasional mild confusion or lapses of memory.
Some women feel lonely or isolated as well.
They talk about some of the stresses and feelings that may occur with both parents during that time. It helps to know ahead what may occur, but for some this will not be enough. When you feel you can't cope, a visit to your health-care practitioner may be in order, as well as some counseling to get you through it. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Tallahassee Democrat is prohibited.