Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting moments, if not the most exciting, in our life. But, this moment can also trigger fear, anxiety, baby blues, or even long-lasting postpartum depression. There are actually many things that expecting parents need to do before announcing their pregnancy. New moms need to navigate this new experience and make sure they receive the right treatment to manage the symptoms and bond with the baby.
Below, we’ll discuss the common causes of postpartum depression, but also its risks and common treatment.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
It is not uncommon for new moms to experience baby blues after giving birth – such as anxiety, stress, mood swings, sadness, appetite issues, crying, or irritability. Typically, these symptoms start 2-3 days after giving birth and last for 1-2 weeks. Most estimates suggest that one in seven women have postpartum depression, but some estimates put that figure as high as 30%.
There is not a standard set of symptoms when it comes to perinatal mental health issues – some people may experience all of them, and others may only have a few. Postpartum depression is generally characterized by intense symptoms that affect one’s quality of life, such as:
- Extremely tired and low energy, but you cannot sleep
- Major changes in appetite
- Losing interest in your favorite activities or hobbies
- Feeling detached from your friends and family
- Experiencing feelings like sadness, anger, worthlessness, helplessness
- Feeling ashamed or guilty, especially if you also feel not interested in your baby or you feel like you cannot bond with your baby
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches
- Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting someone else
In addition to these physical and emotional factors, postpartum depression can also be heightened due to normal body changes after birth. The levels of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, drop sharply after giving birth, which leads to chemical changes that could trigger mood swings. You may want to check out this resource guide from WebMD to learn how to navigate it.
Also, giving birth is an exhausting experience and many new moms may not be able to sleep well, which further exacerbates the symptoms of postpartum depression.
It’s worth noting that postpartum depression can also affect men, and fathers may experience the same symptoms as women. In general, male partners experience postnatal depression after their partner has it.
If you or someone you know may suffer from symptoms associated with postpartum depression, you should seek professional help as soon as possible. Free mental health tests are available to help you assess your well-being and determine if you need professional advice or treatment.
Common Causes of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum or postnatal depression may be similar to baby blues in the beginning, but the symptoms are worse and they affect the new mom’s daily life. In some cases, postpartum depression may start before giving birth or even one year after giving birth, which makes it difficult to underpin the exact causes of perinatal mental health issues.
Some of the main triggers or causes of postpartum depression include:
- Lack of support during the pregnancy or after giving birth
- Major life events, such as the death of a loved one or job loss
- History of mental health problems
- Low self-esteem, abuse, or stress
- Complications during birth, or having a baby with medical issues
- Previous difficult experiences in life, such as difficult childhood, neglect, loss of an infant
Risks of Postpartum Depression
Long-lasting baby blues, or postpartum depression, is not normal but is quite common among new moms. Unfortunately, perinatal mental health issues come with a variety of risks.
New mothers who struggle with depression symptoms may have a hard time taking care of their babies because of the symptoms. Irritability, sadness, or anxiety impact the quality of life and the mother’s ability to bond with and take care of her baby. In severe cases, new mothers harm themselves or their babies.
As the disorder comes with intense symptoms, it can affect the mother’s family life – including her spouse, other children, relationships with friends, parents, and other loved ones.
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
Many women experience baby blues or perinatal depression. This is a serious disorder that cannot be washed off by “pulling yourself together” and should be considered as serious as any other physical illness. A woman experiencing symptoms associated with depression should seek medical help and appropriate treatment, based on her individual case.
The treatment for postpartum depression can be counseling, medicine, or both. Mental health counseling consists of talking to a mental health professional who can help new mothers navigate their feelings and cope with the changes in their life.
Examples of coping mechanisms include exercising, appropriate diet, focusing on your relationship with your loved one, staying in touch with friends and family, and resting whenever your baby sleeps.
In some cases, counseling may need to be combined with antidepressants, which target chemical imbalances in the brain. If you are breastfeeding, it’s important to know that there are drugs used to treat depression in new mothers without putting their babies at risk. It is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider, who can determine the right treatment for you while breastfeeding.
Summary
Many new mothers may feel embarrassed or ashamed because of the way they feel, but it’s important to keep in mind that postpartum depression is common and treatable. If left untreated, it can harm both the mother’s and baby’s health in the long term. Friends and family support are crucial for any new mother, along with seeking medical help.