Pregnancy and childbirth are often sources of joy for families worldwide; the thrill of creating new life usually results in celebration across nations and cultures. However, pregnancy causes significant physical and emotional changes. So, after the pregnancy, some mothers feel low or negative emotions.
All forms of depression are dangerous for anyone. However, with postpartum depression, there are so many fragile factors involved. So, it’s important to have all the necessary information on postpartum depression. This way, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your baby. This knowledge isn’t only essential for new mothers. Instead, family and friends would be more helpful during and after pregnancy if they understand how to help.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
The first step to overcoming postpartum depression is by understanding the illness. “Postpartum” refers to the period after childbirth. After pregnancy, 70-80% of mothers have the “baby blues.” It usually starts a few days after the new child arrives. As a result, mothers experience frequent bouts of sadness, mood swings, anxiety, and stress.
It’s often worse for mothers who had a tough delivery. Fortunately, though, baby blues usually stop after a while. Adequate sleep, proper feeding, and a little help can stem these episodes. So, if your baby blues exceed two weeks with stronger symptoms, then it could be a sign of other issues.
Postpartum depression is a severe mental health condition that refers to the physical, emotional, and behavioral changes after childbirth. These changes are often attributed to chemical, social and psychological changes that pregnancy and delivery cause. When depression starts during the pregnancy, it’s called prenatal depression. Together, prenatal and postpartum depression all fall under one word – perinatal depression.
Postpartum depression can affect a mother’s ability to care for her infant. In addition, the new mother will find it hard to handle daily tasks. Unfortunately, many women don’t share their struggles with postpartum depression. Several factors inform this decision, such as the fear of being judged as bad mothers. As a result, some may not even comprehend what they’re going through.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can affect mothers of all races, cultures, and social standing. So, it’s crucial to understand that women aren’t to blame for postpartum depression. But unfortunately, despite the common occurrence of this disease, researchers still don’t fully understand its causes.
Multiple factors can cause postpartum depression, though. These would include genetic, physical, and environmental factors. We’ll explain some of them below.
Hormonal Changes
Levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone rise significantly during pregnancy. However, they quickly drop within 24 hours of childbirth. So, researchers have tried linking postpartum depression to these sudden hormonal changes. One argument is that these reproductive hormones contribute to basic emotion processing, cognition, and motivation. Therefore, the changes can influence the risk factors for postpartum depression.
Emotional Issues
When new mothers are emotionally unstable, they can suffer postpartum depression. Handling minor problems can become challenging, so the new baby can easily overwhelm them. In addition, pregnant women often struggle with body changes, wondering whether they’re still attractive. The areas of their life they’ve lost control over may also concern them. All these can contribute to postpartum depression.
Finally, environmental factors can also cause postpartum depression. These would include the various kinds of stress, work, and general life demands.
Risk Factors
Postpartum depression can, indeed, affect any new mother. However, like some other diseases, some factors increase a mother’s chances of suffering postpartum depression. These include:
- Previous history of depression or other mood disorders
- Family history of depression
- Unplanned or difficult pregnancies
- Premature deliveries
- Stillbirth
- History of bipolar disorder
- Delivering a child with health problems
- Abusive relationships
- Isolation or absence of emotional support
- Sleep deprivation and exhaustion
- Poor eating and other habits
- Severe health problems
- Recent stressful events
If you have any of these risk factors, it’ll be best to inform your doctor once you get pregnant. This way, such a physician can monitor you throughout the pregnancy and after postpartum depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
We already stated that postpartum depression shares symptoms with baby blues. Therefore, many new mothers and their observers mistake both diseases. Notably, though, you can watch the intensity of baby blues symptoms. This can show you whether you’re suffering from postpartum depression. So, the signs to look for include:
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Lack of interest, feeling, or connection with the baby
- Absence of motivation
- Memory lapses
- Headaches, body pains and aches, and stomach problems
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Fatigue
- Fears over your capacity to be a good mother
- Restlessness
- Inability to think clearly, resulting in bad decisions
- Lack of concentration
- Hopelessness
- Persistent feelings of shame or guilt
- Recurrent thoughts of harming your baby
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts
If you experience these symptoms more than two weeks after childbirth, it may be best to seek professional help. You can speak to your family healthcare provider about your condition.
Can Fathers Suffer Postpartum Depression?
Yes, many fathers also suffer from postpartum depression. So, contrary to popular belief, this disease doesn’t just affect new mothers. Pregnancies and deliveries can make fathers feel sad, tired, anxious, and overwhelmed. This is often called paternal postpartum depression. Generally, new fathers can have the same symptoms as depressed mothers.
Young fathers with a depression history face more risk of postpartum depression. The financial consequence of an increasing family can also trigger these issues. Notably, paternal postpartum depression can also affect the father’s bonding with the child. In addition, it can also affect his relationship with the mother. So, if you’re a new father experiencing these symptoms, it’ll be best to speak to a doctor.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is an extreme and rare form of postpartum depression. Only about 1 out of every 1,000 new mothers suffer from postpartum psychosis. When women suffer postpartum psychosis, it often develops within the first week of delivery. Postpartum psychosis is a very dangerous condition.
This is because it implies a disconnection from reality. The signs and symptoms are the same with ordinary postpartum depression, though. However, they may lead to life-threatening thoughts and behaviors from the mother. Furthermore, these actions could be directed at the baby or show self-harm.
What If You Have Suicidal Thoughts?
Women suffering from postpartum depression may consider suicide at some point. They may even think of hurting their baby. If this is you, then it’ll help to explore the following options:
- Contact your primary health care provider or some other professional
- Speak to a mental health expert
- Call a suicide hotline
- Call 911 or your local emergency number
- Talk to family members or friends
- If you’re religious, you can speak to your spiritual leader
- You may also consider enrolling in a Suicide Prevention course
Treatment of Postpartum Depression
It’s noteworthy that postpartum depression is treatable. A physician will treat postpartum depression like other types of depression. Treatment is crucial to guarantee the well-being of the affected parents and their newborn. Therefore, the earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better. Treatment is also effective in many instances.
Furthermore, your condition may necessitate hospitalization. A medical practitioner will explore some of the options below.
Medication
Antidepressants are generally prescribed for depression. They can also fix postpartum depression in new mothers. Notably, antidepressants may take 4-8 weeks to deliver results. Hormonal medications can also restore the mother’s hormonal balance. So, suppose her postpartum depression stemmed from high hormonal levels.
Then, taking the medication can improve her condition. If you have postpartum psychosis, you may take general psychosis prescription drugs. Breastfeeding mothers have to be careful with medications. However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot take antidepressants. Instead, it’ll be best to let your doctor guide you through this process.
Therapy
Therapy can also help you get through postpartum depression. So, you can get counseling from professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or other mental health professionals. This process can help you understand what you’re going through and eliminate dangerous thoughts and feelings. Finally, therapy can provide solutions to these thoughts.
Self-Care Treatments
This treatment method is pretty straightforward, but the practice may be challenging. Self-care essentially involves cutting back on some of the factors responsible for your postpartum depression. This would include reducing your responsibilities and generally cutting yourself some slack. Furthermore, you’ll have to avoid depressants such as alcohol and practice proper dieting.
Dealing With Postpartum Depression
Whatever treatment method your medical practitioner recommends, it’ll still be best to take personal steps for faster recovery. The tips below will also help you adequately deal with the problem.
Communicate
Many times, only the new mother understands what she’s suffering. So, it’ll be best to explain the condition to those around her adequately. If you talk to someone you trust, they can support you during this phase.
Avoid Isolation
Depressive feelings often thrive in isolation. Therefore, it’ll be best to always stay in the company of people who love you. You can also find support groups to get you through this depressive stage.
Rest and Relax
Rest cures many ailments. So, you can get more rest immediately after childbirth. Cut down on work and possibly get a nanny. This way, you don’t have to spend all day caring for your child.
Final Words!
If you apply the information above, you’ll have a better shot at surviving postpartum depression after childbirth. You can also get mental health resources on our online portal.
