Final answer:
Approximately 15% to 20% of new mothers report experiencing postpartum blues in the early postpartum period, a time marked by emotional fluctuations and feelings of sadness that usually resolves without medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experience of feeling down or postpartum blues is relatively common among new mothers. The condition is characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, and emotional fluctuations that occur shortly after childbirth. While the information provided does not directly state the percentage of women who experience postpartum blues, studies generally find that approximately 15% to 20% of women report symptoms of postpartum blues in the early postpartum period. Such emotions are thought to result from the rapid change in hormone levels after delivery, combined with the stress and fatigue of caring for a newborn. It's crucial to distinguish postpartum blues from the more severe postpartum depression, which requires medical intervention. Postpartum blues, however, is a milder condition and typically resolves on its own.