What should husbands do upon noticing pregnancy blues in women? Leading gynaecologist explains

Is your pregnant wife irritable for no reason? Do you feel that she doesn't communicate with you enough anymore and is not herself either? Here's what you should know. While the pregnancy period can be one of incredible excitement and joy, the couple can also encounter many challenging 'firsts' in this period. 

Unlike in the past, when there were many family members to guide them, today's nuclear families mostly depend on doctors, online material, and books to handle the new episode in their lives. While most 'discoveries' of the period can be joyful, specific changes can leave you feeling confused - especially those related to their fluctuating moods and mental health. In such a scenario, the woman might not be able to help herself much, and it is up to her husband or other family members to take on the challenge. Dr Marie Simon, a gynaecologist at Amrita Urban Health Centre, Kaloor, in Ernakulam, explains how to go about it.

Blues, during pregnancy 
According to Dr Marie, both during pregnancy and after, women can be quite labile and can have extreme emotional changes. "Expressing irritability, sadness, anger, and insecurity are all part of it. They might not eat food properly, sleep well, cry for no reason and more. Take these symptoms seriously and consult the pregnant person's gynaecologist. If the doctor recommends a psychiatric consultation, that too should be done without fail. This is because, at times, pregnancy blues can transform into depression, especially during the first pregnancy," explains the doctor. 

Postpartum blues
Even after delivery, it's likely the mom won't be getting enough rest for various reasons, such as the child not sleeping enough. In such cases, too, similar symptoms can appear, the doctor says. "If family members observe such changes, notice that their consolation efforts aren't working, or if the woman displays suicidal tendencies, do not delay taking help," Dr Marie says. Apparently, there are safe medicines that can be prescribed for new mothers with postpartum blues. "Take the medicines as advised by the doctor for the duration they prescribe only," she says. 

The sixth week check-up
New mothers are generally asked to visit their gynaecologist with the baby's father six weeks after the delivery. This is called the 'postnatal check-up.' The doctor says, "When they visit, the doctors check whether the woman's uterus is back in the old position, whether their stitches are healing well, whether they can feed the baby well and whether the woman has enough milk, alongside other issues." This check-up is also a time when the doctor can give guidance on the woman's recovery, when it's safe to plan the next baby and any other health issues. "Therefore, it's important that both the father and mother visit the gynaecologist together for the post-natal check-up," Dr Marie says.