Why do I feel like this after having a baby :(

[hopefully2019]

Hi guys.

I had my baby 13 days ago.
For the past 2 days I've had, what I would call 'depressive episodes' lasting a few minutes. Their episodes where I feel severely depressed for only a few minutes. I then feel fine again. When I say 'severely depressed', I basically feel so empty and so alone.
Certain things trigger these depressive few minutes, sudden noises, certain family members talking, etc.

It's happened 10 times today- if not more.
I was diagnosed with anxiety and OCD in pregnancy. Which was hormonal induced, I believe.

Is this normal? I am so happy inside, I have a perfect life! Why do I feel like this?
Is this the start of post natal depression? :(

Please tell a health professional as they will be able to give you the correct assessment and advice. It could be your GP, midwife or NHS 111, I thinks the best thing to do is tell someone early and if it is the start of something you can tackle it head on. Also have you told your partner or mum or anyone else? All the best

It doesn't happen to conincide with breastfeeding/let down reflex does it? I know you mentioned other triggers but just in case en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphoric_milk_ejection_reflex

Pregnancy, child birth and looking after a baby is a rollercoaster of emotion! It’s fairly common to feel down just after having a baby as your hormones are all over the place and there are a lot of feelings going on. I would be aware of how you are feeling and if it doesn’t dissipate or is getting worse, speak to your health visitor. I know from personal experience that I can get quite rapidly depressed if I am seriously lacking sleep or a break.

I felt wretchedly awful for a good year after having a baby. Definitely go to see your GP and get support.

I have DMER as a PP suggested! I get horrible waves of a depressive feeling around 30 seconds before let-down. In the early weeks it was with every let down, now it’s only with spontaneous ones ie when my baby isn’t feeding (I still get a ‘wave’ of emotion when I get a feeding let down but it’s not as intense). I can set my watch by it, feels like misery/homesickness. The thinking is that it’s to do with a drop in dopamine in order for the milk-producing hormones to increase.

That said, it’s not a well-known condition and until a friend sent me an article about it I worried that I was developing PND. I would definitely speak to your midwife or health visitor about how you’re feeling, don’t bottle it up. They’re there to help and support you. Even if you are showing signs of PND, there is absolutely no shame in it.

Gosh that’s interesting. I think I had D-MER too Although I barely managed 3 weeks breastfeeding before my milk dried up anyway. I’d never heard of the condition before

It could be baby blues, after you give birth you lose so many hormones all of a sudden that can cause you to feel like you describe.
I would suggest thou you go and have a chat with your GP, they can advise you better.