Maternity blues:cross-cultural variations andemotional changes

The maternity blues are a group of symptoms of overemotionalism and overreactivity that appear very often in the early puerperium. The blues seem not to be part of a continuum with postpartum depression and puerperal psychosis. Causation is mostly biological, mainly the massive fluctuation of hormones in that period. There are no clear relationships with demographic or psychosocial factors. The clinical picture appears very similar in all the different settings in which it has been examined. As some women suffering from the blues will go on to develop postpartum depression, requiring medication and psychological interventions, it is very important to recognize the symptoms and to educate the patient and her partner, if there is one, so they will know what to expect and when to notify the obstetrician/gynecologist in case psychiatric referral is necessary. The time spent listening to the patient discuss her emotions and giving her pertinent education is very valuable, because the establishment of a good therapeutic alliance is crucial in the event that depression (a serious condition that puts both mother and child at risk) develops.