The postpartum period can also bring about significant emotional changes:
- Baby Blues: Many women experience mood swings, anxiety, and irritability during the first two weeks postpartum. This is often called the "baby blues." - Postpartum Depression: More severe and long-lasting than the baby blues, postpartum depression can occur anytime within the first year after childbirth and may require professional treatment. - Anxiety Disorders: Some women may experience heightened anxiety, panic attacks, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors during the postpartum period.
