You may not know it, but that sadness, which many women experience after childbirth, and which we know as Baby Blues takes its name from an American comic. We will tell you some curiosity of the comic in particular. But also remember that this emotional process is called Maternity Blues, Postpartum Sadness or Blue Days.
El Baby Blues is a mood alteration That occurs as a result of the hormonal, psychological and social changes that the baby's birth entails. Not to be confused with postpartum depression, which entails other more serious issues, and which lasts longer.
Baby Blues, the comic strip that gave rise to the expression
The sadness that many mothers, about 80%, feel when giving birth and that usually accompanies them the first 15 days after giving birth was already a well-studied phenomenon. But that From the 90s on, this mild sadness began to be popularly known as Baby Blues. It all comes from a comic with the same name created by Rick Kirkman and Scott Jerry, which shows the life of the MacPherson family and specifically the upbringing of the three children.
When the strip was published, the MacPherson family It consisted of Wanda and Darryl MacPherson and the newborn Zoe. Later two more children were added. Wanda MacPherson, the mother, is one of the most complex characters, and authentic protagonist of the comic series.
She chose to be a mother and a homemaker after the birth of her children. However, he becomes frustrated and envious of other women whom he considers better mothers. Wanda sometimes sees her children as a nuisance, although deep down she loves them. The comic was turned into a television series, but without much success. He's only had one season.
It is normal to go through a period of sadness after childbirth
As we have said before Almost 80% of postpartum women suffer from a mild and transient syndrome of sadness, the Baby Blues. As a general rule, it appears in the week after delivery and lasts for fifteen days. It usually goes away on its own, without the need for medical attention or treatment of any kind.
Some of its most obvious manifestations are mood swings, irritability, the urge to cry, anguish and the feeling of continuous sadness. There is no single reason for Baby Blues to appear, rather there are several causes. The most significant are:
- Still having the discomfort of childbirth.
- Hormonal changes aimed at promoting lactation.
- Be aware of the turn that the mother's life has taken.
- Loss of mother's routines.
- Feeling overwhelmed by what it means to take care of the baby.
In some cases the mother may even feel guilty, because he is sad when he is supposed to be happy with his little one. However the Baby blues does not interfere with your daily tasks.
How can you fight the Baby Blues?
Obviously in women after childbirth, biochemical, environmental and psychological changes occur. In general, Baby Blues is a transitory state of readjustment. Therefore the first recommendation is to be patient and understand that what is happening is part of normality.
It is also convenient that during pregnancy someone has told us about this situation. At the same time we must be prepared, having learned to empower and manage our own resources and personal tools will help us in the face of this avalanche of emotions. In the most unstable moments, communication will be our fundamental tool.
It is important ask for help, It is time to go to your closest partner, family or friends. Expressing your feelings and feeling heard and understood is very positive. Although Baby Blues is a very frequent phenomenon, it is true that its prolongation in time, more than a couple of months, deserves some type of professional intervention, so that it does not lead to a situation of depression.