Final answer:
Postpartum blues, characterized by mood swings and tearfulness, are normal and tend to resolve on their own shortly after childbirth, whereas persistent or severe symptoms may indicate postpartum depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postpartum blues are considered a normal experience following childbirth. The symptoms of postpartum blues include mood swings, tearfulness, feelings of overwhelm, and periods of unexplained sadness. It is worth noting that these feelings are usually transient and tend to resolve without the need for medical intervention within two weeks after delivery. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, it may be indicative of postpartum depression, which is a more severe form of mood disturbance.
It's important to distinguish between normal postpartum blues and conditions such as postpartum depression. The latter requires medical attention and can involve a range of symptoms as outlined by Fields (2010) and Wisner et al. (2013), including persistent sadness, sleeping and eating issues, withdrawal from social interactions, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, and possibly thoughts of self-harm.
The correct answer to the question is (a) Yes; mood swings, tearfulness.