Social factors may also play a role, especially in the more common and less severe forms of maternity blues.

A few women reported prior symptoms representative of maternity blues, but they did not experience these symptoms during the study.

However, their results show that this postnatal reduction in receptor levels is less marked in women who suffer from maternity blues, and it is suggested that this may be the cause of the depression.

One study of Japanese women done in 2005 found that the prevalence of maternity blues and postpartum depression was much less for women who gave birth in maternity homes than for those who delivered in hospitals.

For example, researchers at the University of Wales recently reported that women who experience "maternity blues - tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis, sleeplessness, impairment of concentration and headache" have a more pronounced shift in the production of naturally occurring progesterone.

The postpartum blues, maternity blues, or baby blues is a transient condition that 75-80% of mothers could experience shortly after childbirth with a wide variety of symptoms which generally involve mood lability, tearfulness, and some mild anxiety and depressive symptoms.

"But can you imagine postpartum blues on top of what she's already going through?"

Up to 85% of women experience postpartum blues during the first two weeks after delivery.

About 20% of women who have postpartum blues will develop more lasting depression.

Unlike the more serious depressions, however, the postpartum blues pass quickly, she added.

Postpartum blues are thought to be caused by changing levels of hormones in the body after delivery.

He blamed overwork, a crisis of confidence and postpartum blues.

What if I have postpartum blues or depression?

It is fairly common for women to develop depressive symptoms in the days after delivery; the "postpartum blues"

Even with all of these distractions, the new full-time mother often suffers an attack of the postpartum blues.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can follow postpartum blues.

In some women postpartum blues becomes a more serious condition called postpartum depression, sometime in the first 3 months after delivery.

Postpartum blues.

Most women with postpartum blues, or "baby blues," find that their mood swings, insomnia, overwhelmed feelings, and agitation go away within 2 weeks.

(He reproached her for relying on antidepressants to treat her postpartum blues.)

Be sure to report any feelings of postpartum blues to your doctor at your first postpartum checkup, so he or she can follow up with you.

Iza Calzado as Stephanie - After she has given birth, she is now experiencing postpartum blues.

Symptoms of postpartum blues and postpartum depression include sleeplessness, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, and poor concentration.

Symptoms of Postpartum Blues or Depression Who Can Treat Postpartum Depression?

They also remembered agreeing with the agency placement worker that such postpartum blues were to be expected in a woman who had lost her fiance and given birth so soon after.

Every woman is at risk for temporary "postpartum blues" during the first 2 weeks after childbirth, because of sudden hormone changes and the challenges of caring for a newborn.

Although you can't prevent the postpartum hormone changes that cause postpartum blues, you can take steps to prevent ongoing postpartum depression (PPD).

Mild postpartum blues normally disappear on their own within days, but when symptoms of postpartum depression are severe or last more than two weeks, a specialist should be promptly consulted.

In contrast to postpartum blues, postpartum depression may last a year or more, and is characterized by disruptions in appetite, insomnia, inbility to concentrate and a plunge in self-esteem.

She found that the women who had kept their jobs or remained involved with other activities outside the home and those who received child-rearing assistance from family and friends were less affected by postpartum blues.

Symptoms of Postpartum Blues or Depression Treatment Choices for Postpartum Depression Can New Moms Take Antidepressants?

But the "baby blues" usually go away within a couple of weeks.

These baby blues pass on their own, usually within two weeks and do not require treatment.

I looked at him, trying to read past the neutral baby blues.

Maybe it was the near panic in his baby blues.

In addition to physical changes, you may feel sad or have the "baby blues."

But you can have bouts of baby blues throughout your baby's first year.

I gave him one right between the baby blues.

Many new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few weeks after delivery.

"You've been drilling your baby blues into my head since the meeting started.

If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues."

"There's a very fine mind hiding behind those baby blues.

She would have loved to stare into those baby blues right now, probing for fear.

Get those baby blues right down the throats of the people watching in the grand jury.

She thought "baby blues was a perfect description for Neal's eyes.

Or they can follow the symptoms of the baby blues after a couple of weeks.

Something was lurking behind those baby blues, and she didn't know what it was.

Baby blues: delays to adoption are often due to slow legal processes.

Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly.

He actually lowered his sunglasses so I could see his baby blues.

He blinks his baby blues a few times as if mulling it over.

This is commonly known as the "baby blues," and it usually resolves on its own.

Her baby blues gazed at me with penetrating force.

The "baby blues" strikes as many as three out of four new mothers.

You can bat a pair of baby blues one day, then flash golden tiger eyes the next.

Jason flashed me a grin that made his baby blues sparkle.