Not Every Postpartum Tear Is the Same: Understanding the Difference Between Baby Blues and PMADs
What's normal, what's not, and when to reach out for support
In the first days after having a baby, crying in the shower and laughing at nothing and feeling more love than you knew was possible can all happen within the same hour.
That is normal.
But when those feelings don't settle, when the heaviness lingers past the first couple of weeks, when something just feels off and you can't quite explain it, that is worth paying attention to.
Knowing the difference between the baby blues and a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD) can be the thing that gets you support sooner rather than later.
What Are the “Baby Blues”?
Up to 80% of new moms experience the baby blues—a temporary emotional adjustment period after birth. The sudden hormonal shifts after delivery, combined with lack of sleep, physical recovery, and the huge life transition of becoming a parent, can all contribute to mood swings.
Common symptoms include:
Crying spells that come and go
Irritability or mood swings
Feeling easily overwhelmed
Trouble sleeping (even when you can)
Anxiety about your baby’s wellbeing
If this sounds like where you are right now, know that what you are feeling is incredibly common and it will not always feel this intense.
The baby blues usually begin within the first few days postpartum and tend to resolve on their own within about two weeks.
Gentle self-care, rest, emotional support, and validation can make a big difference during this period.
What Are PMADs?
When feelings don't ease up after two weeks, or when they start to interfere with your ability to care for yourself or your baby, something more may be going on. That something has a name: a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, or PMAD.
PMADs are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting about 1 in 5 birthing people. They can occur any time during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum—not just in the first few weeks.
PMADs include:
Postpartum depression
Perinatal anxiety and panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (intrusive thoughts)
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis (less common, but serious)
Common signs may include:
Persistent sadness, guilt, or hopelessness
Feeling disconnected from your baby or yourself
Racing thoughts, constant worry, or intrusive thoughts
Changes in appetite or sleep
Loss of pleasure or interest in things you used to enjoy
Feeling like you are going through the motions without really being present or connected to your life
Thoughts of self-harm or feeling like your family would be better off without you
You Are Not Alone—and You Deserve Support
Experiencing a PMAD doesn’t mean you’re failing as a parent. It means your brain and body need care, just like they would after any medical complication.
With help, recovery is absolutely possible. Therapy, support groups, medication (when appropriate), and community resources can help you feel like yourself again.
If your symptoms last beyond two weeks, or you just don’t feel like yourself, reach out. You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough” to get support.
At Braving Motherhood: Counseling & Wellness
We specialize in supporting women and birthing people through all stages of the perinatal journey. Whether you’re adjusting to motherhood, navigating anxiety, or wondering if what you’re feeling is more than the baby blues, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Braving Motherhood, I specialize in supporting women through every stage of the perinatal journey, from pregnancy through early motherhood, whether you are navigating the baby blues, wondering if what you are feeling is a PMAD, or somewhere in between.
You do not have to figure out what is "normal" on your own. That is exactly what I am here for.
Virtual therapy is available throughout Illinois. A free consultation is a gentle place to start.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please reach out right now:
📞 Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or reach the Postpartum Support International Helpline at 1-800-944-4773 (text “HELP” to 800-944-4773).
