Postpartum depression stays for 1 -2 weeks after the baby’s birth. Symptoms of postpartum depression after childbirth can be seen in the mother and father as well. Postpartum stress is normal after delivery but you need to be very careful during this phase. After childbirth, postpartum depression can be easily identified. Postpartum depression is one of the raising issues in new mothers. Here we talk about this stress, its causes, and treatment. This postpartum depression is curable with affection, love and care. As toddlers grow this depression also grows with time.
When a new baby arrives at home, you can expect your life to be very exciting and full of excitement. But this excitement goes through PPD(Postpartum depression). You may enjoy the change in day-to-day activities and even find that it’s easier to relax. You are used to spending so much time with your toddler or two kids; meanwhile, your other children continue to grow. However, after a while, these changes begin to wear off. A newborn usually has a lot of energy but still feels tired most of the time when compared to older kids. Many new parents do not realize the symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). This is because PPD affects the mother more than the child.
According to Dr. Sharmila Bhasin, an associate professor and research scientist at Rutgers University School of Nursing who specializes in women’s health, “PPD is also known as maternal mental disorders. It is characterized by depressive symptoms that occur over several weeks after childbirth.” If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should take this seriously. While there is no cure for PPD, treatment can help reduce its symptoms.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression, often called peripartum depression, refers to depressed moods experienced by a woman after childbirth. During the first 6 months after a child, women are under increased stress from caring for a newborn and their babies. They may feel down, low energy, sad and restless. In addition, they experience significant fatigue. All of this contributes to significant feelings of emptiness and anxiety. Additionally, depression can lead to physical symptoms including irritability, restlessness, mood disorder, muscle aches, digestive issues, constipation, headaches, back pain, and sleep disturbance.
Some Symptoms associated with periportal depression are as under
Feeling sad or empty
Feel like losing interest in things you enjoyed doing,
Mental health disorder
Decreased appetite
Hormonal change
Weight loss or gaining weight
Insomnia or lack of sleep
Extreme fatigue
Persistent or recurrent thoughts about death
Self-destructiveness or suicidal thoughts
Difficulty concentrating at work or school
A low sex drive
Diminished libido
Increased irritability or anger
A high need to be alone due to constant loneliness
Poor concentration
Anxiety
A general decrease in emotional or physical hygiene
Guilt, and self-worth
Feelings of failure
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
A study conducted by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Policy and Management looked at various factors associated with both postpartum depression (PPD) and prenatal depression (PND). The findings indicated that mothers who had lower incomes, lower education levels, younger mothers (less than 35 years old), and those who did not complete prenatal care had higher rates of having PPD than those with higher education levels.
In addition, mothers who received inadequate prenatal care and experienced multiple miscarriages were three times more likely to develop perinatal depression. Women who were unable to get timely health services and who experienced adverse health outcomes in pregnancy such as poor fetal growth or miscarriage were more than 4 times more likely to have PPD than those who had regular prenatal care. Another possible cause of PPD could be the social isolation that families experience when a pregnant person chooses not to deliver a baby. Without proper interaction and support during prenatal development, a child may face additional challenges. A study in Denmark concluded that women living in rural areas reported greater stigma from family members about expecting a girl child, which caused them to delay their pregnancies longer.
There are various treatments available for all levels of severity of PPD. These include psychotherapy, antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, pharmacological therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. For those with severe symptoms of periportal depression, medications like tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can increase the impact of depression on daily functioning. In less severe cases, cognitive behavior therapy can help mothers become more aware of negative thoughts and behaviors, learn coping strategies, and engage in problem-solving exercises.
Other therapies include
Mindfulness meditation
Yoga classes
Music therapy
Acupuncture
Herbal supplements
Aromatherapy
Dietary management
Psychopharmacology
Exercise
Occupational therapy
Massage therapy
Hypnotherapy
Reflexology
Biofeedback therapy
