Recognize the symptoms of postpartum depression & anxiety with help from your Chicago, IL physician

Most women have heard of the "baby blues." Postpartum blues involve feelings of emotional upset, anxiety, and depression in the days that follow delivery or coming home with a new baby. Women who experience this condition may have difficulty sleeping, may have no appetite, may cry very easily and may feel a general sense of anger towards their spouse or their children. It is common for a woman with the baby blues to question her ability to care for her new baby.

Postpartum blues can be disruptive, understandably. This condition is not, however, the same thing as postpartum depression. Typically, the blues will diminish over a period of a few weeks. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, can last several months after giving birth. The team at Northwestern Women's Health Associates, S.C. is careful to assess the emotional state of patients during the postpartum visit. Postpartum blues and depression can be managed with the assistance of your caring, experienced health care team.

Why do some women experience postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression may develop in the first few weeks after delivery, and involves intense, persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and anger. This condition may occur as a result of numerous factors, such as:

Hormonal fluctuations. Within a few hours of childbirth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply. This dramatic shift in hormones can have a marked effect on mood.
History of depression. The risk for postpartum depression is greater in women who have previously experienced or been treated for depression, before or during pregnancy.
Fatigue. A new mother may need weeks to feel like herself in terms of energy and strength. This time can be longer for women whose babies are delivered by cesarean.
Emotional and lifestyle factors. A woman's emotional state after childbirth can be impacted by her feelings about her own pregnancy. If a pregnancy is unplanned, a woman may have mixed feelings about her unborn child. Having to remain in the hospital with a sick baby may also cause feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression. Pregnancy and childbirth are significant life events on their own. When accompanied by other lifestyle factors such as a move to a new city or the death of a loved one, or even a lack of family support, childbirth may be followed by unpleasant feelings.

There are options for the treatment of postpartum depression, which your doctor can discuss with you. If you feel blue after the birth of your baby, don't hesitate to talk with our medical team about your feelings. Together, we can devise a plan to move you forward in health.

Contact Northwestern Women's Health Associates, S.C. at 312-440-9400.

At Northwestern Women's Health Associates

your unique needs are our highest priority.

Making use of advanced technology and staying on the cutting edge of women’s healthcare, our team of experts is dedicated to providing every woman who visits our office with the highest level of sensitive, specialized care. At our office in Chicago, you can receive exceptional obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) services from any one of our highly skilled doctors, including Stanley Friedell, MD; Abbie Roth, MD; Regina Belmonte, MD; Sharon Wise, MD; Julianne Morton, MD; Whitney Dunn, MD; Aleena Lakhanpal, MD; Margaret Kistner, MD; and Brandon Anhalt, MD. With their combined expertise, this team of board-certified doctors at Northwestern Women's Health Associates makes it possible for you to receive efficient, personalized care from the preeminent women’s hospital in the Midwest.

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Success Stories

Jen Weitz
"Wonderful experience with Dr. Julianne Morton @ NW Women's Associates. I've recommended her to countless girlfriends. Being a first time mom, I went through many physical symptoms and emotions that accompany pregnancy. She is extremely thorough, patient, and has wonderful bedside manner. I felt confident going into delivery with Dr. Morton taking the lead with my delivery. Wonderful practice!"

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Melissa P.
"Dr. Morton is absolutely amazing. She cared for me throughout my first pregnancy and we found her to be kind and caring and straightforward - could not have asked for a better experience! Dr. Dunn ended up being on call during my delivery and she was great as well. I have always found the nurses and office staff to be friendly and on top of things - very happy with the practice!"

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Jeanne S.
"I had to have a laproscopic hysterectomy done by Dr. Friedell and all went fabulously! They were very detailed in pre-op which made a lot of difference. I came out of surgery feeling great and post op I was back to work within two weeks. Everyone at the practice, at the hospital, at pre-op were incredible."

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Kelly C.
"Dr.Julianne Morton is amazing! I was recommended by a friend when I moved to the Chicago area and was looking for an OB-GYN. I have seen her for two years in Chicago for my yearly exam. She is beyond kind and great at what she does. Dr.Morton makes you feel very comfortable and is such an incredible doctor! I have recommended her to all of my friends as well who need a new gyno/OB-GYN."

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Ashes M.
"Dr. Morton is a really great doctor. She has an incredible bedside manner and makes you feel comfortable. She makes sure to ask if you have any questions and will happily answer all of them with you. Would highly recommend!"

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Mengmeng L.
"Dr. Friedell is amazing! He helped delivered my first baby and the whole process was super smooth and stress free. All the staff in the office are super friendly too. Highly recommend!"

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Anahita K.
"Dr Freidell is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and really cares about his patients. He is very good at getting to the root of the problem, especially with overlapping symptoms. He guided me through all my options and their implications. I will highly recommend him and his team."

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Dana M.
"I love Dr. Belmonte. I have been going to her since 2006! She rocks!!! She is straight to the point, I love that about her. When I leave her office after seeing her I always feel great, like a just left a good friends house or something!"
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Barbara A

"I can not tell you how wonderful my experiences have been. Dr. Sharon Wise is my doctor and she is fantastic. She is straightforward and honest about treatments and procedures. I enjoy her sense of humor, and I found her bedside manner when delivering my son to be excellent. "

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