104 HAWAII PARENT NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 Mothers-to-be experience a rollercoaster of emotions during and post-pregnancy. An increase in hormones is bound to have an impact on your emotions, and physical exhaustion can make everything even more challenging. Emotional turbulence tends to hit hardest during the first trimester as your body adjusts to changing hormone levels. For some women, mood swings are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, starting as soon as the fourth week. Many mothers experience the “baby blues,” or feel sad or empty within a few days to a few weeks of giving birth. This is typical and should be expected. Most women experience PPD (Post-Partum Depression) symptoms within the first few weeks of giving birth (often within six weeks). However, some moms do not develop symptoms until after six months. Women with PPD can experience symptoms for a few months or longer. In fact, studies have found that PDD can even last up to three years after birth. According to recent studies from Stanford University, up to 20% of women suffer from mood or anxiety disorders during both the gestation and postpartum periods. Mothers may experience excessive worry, restlessness, and anxiety after by Karen K.C. Gibson
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