POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AMONG NEW MOTHERS

Difference between Baby blues and Postpartum depression

The body and the mind of a new mother goes through chemical, social and psychological changes. A feeling of sadness and fatigue is quite common among new mothers. This is often termed baby blues and occurs in almost every woman. However, these feelings change after a week or two. In case these feelings sustain, it symbolizes postpartum depression.

The female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone increase during pregnancy. These hormones drop down suddenly and sharply after delivery causing an emotional breakdown. The sleepless nights, changed food habits, staying at home, etc. that are associated with birth and child care accounts for a feeling of boredom. These feelings if keep persisting, you should definitely ask for medical help.

Like major depressions that occur in the life of everyone, PPD creates personal sufferings and it affects a woman’s ability to function effectively in all fields of her life. This includes work life, personal relationship, marital relationships etc. The major issue regarding PPD is that a new mother has the major responsibility of looking after the child. It is often quite challenging to look after a newborn. It causes fatigue and exhaustion. This feeling of exhaustion can often affect parenting and the mother-child relationship.

The symptoms vary; however, these are some of the most common ones:

1)Frequent mood swings

Have you noticed some ladies keep crying for no reason, or start an argument for petty things? This behaviour of acting very much sensitive, not able to control emotions etc. accounts for PPD. I have frequently seen husbands complaining that their bold wife is behaving like a drama queen these days. They may understand the changes that occur in their marriage, however do not bother to find out the reason behind this.

2)A hopeless or worthless feeling

Motherhood includes decision making as well as galloping through things. When you fail to deal with the situation a feeling of good for nothing arises. The feelings of being a bad mother and a bad wife start blooming in the brains. This useless feeling can even lead to suicidal nature.

3)Fatigue

This includes weakness as well as a stressed and exhausted feel. Giving birth and raising a newborn is a hectic process. The process of being a mother requires tremendous energy and effort. This leads to a weak feel. A lady becomes mentally as well as physically weak.

 

4)Lack of energy and motivation

It is characterized by a cold feeling, with low interest in activities that you once enjoyed. Things that you have once done with great pleasure, include your favourite hobbies, tv shows, the job that you once loved etc. You may not feel any interest in these things.

5)Appetite changes

The change in appetite varies with the person. Some feel an aversion towards food while others have unusual food cravings. You can see women who were once health-conscious, eating breakfast twice.

6)Walking away from the society

Due to the change in the body type after delivery, women lose their confidence. Women are very much sensitive to their feminine nature. They are more beauty conscious and always nurture their body. The sudden change in the body type leaves them in despair. They show reluctance to face the public and remains inside the room. Wearing shabby clothes also account for this situation.

7)Thoughts of death or suicide

This is a high-risk stage of depression in which the person has thoughts of harming themself or in some extreme cases harming the baby. This is a higher version of postpartum depression and is termed postpartum psychosis.

 

Some of the preventive measures are:

1)Share your responsibility

Don't act like you are the only person with the responsibility. Share your responsibility with your partner. During the initial stage the social thought that mother should look after her baby occurs. Many women are in a venture to state that I’m a good mom. This is actually irrelevant. Asking for help is acceptable.

2)Open up with your partner

If you are suffering from any such mental issues, talk to your partner or supporting family or friends. Sharing can reduce the mental torture that you are giving to yourself. Moreover, you will get extra care. When you find yourself with people to support you, you will feel much relaxed.

 

3)Interact with new moms

Keep interacting with new moms. Learn from their experiences. They might have been gone through a similar situation and would be able to provide you with feasible solutions. Although changes in a child’s behaviour and sleep patterns vary, you may find different interesting facts from others. The feeling that you are not alone, and these changes are common, makes you bold enough to face the situation.

4)Don't make major life changes after delivery

When you are planning for a pregnancy, never take decisions that upset you. This may include, shifting to a new place, moving away from your parents, change in career etc. Being a mom needs a lot of effort, along with that these changes will take more time to adapt. Some changes are unavoidable. An understanding partner can help in such situations.

5)Previous medical history

If you have a history of mental trauma earlier, you would be more prone to depression. Hence you should call out for medical help. This includes women who have faced PPD in the first pregnancy. Although this is your second child, you can be prone to PPD. While visiting your doctor, talk about your previous case without fail.

6)Reach out to friends and family

Going out with friends and spending time alone with a partner are things that you should never skip. It can bring back the youthfulness in you. Don’t restrict yourself since you are a mom. The feeling of losing yourself can deteriorate your self-confidence.

7)Hiring a caregiver

If you are obsessed with this new situation, don't hesitate to appoint a caregiver. It can help you to relax and reduce your pressure. Here comes the role of parents in the postpartum stage. It is said that every new mother needs her mother. On the off chance that it is your mom, you need not need to tell everything, she can get you. You can likewise have an open talk. If having your mom with you is not an option, you must appoint a caregiver so that during the early stage when you are mentally and physically unwell you will have some assistance.

Treatment

This condition can be treated by providing proper medication and counselling. After identifying the issue one can directly go for a visit with a psychiatrist or counsellor and start the treatment.

 

The sad fact is that in India 1 out of 10 women develop this long-lasting depression but are left unnoticed. Basic awareness about this condition is really essential. Providing a pre-delivery class on postpartum depression, to the mom and dad to be, would be beneficial. Even non-depressed postpartum women regularly experience many symptoms that commonly reflect depression in non-postpartum women, such as fatigue, appetite disturbance, and sleep disturbance. Hormone withdrawal theories state that withdrawal of estradiol and progesterone are proximate causes of postpartum blues and depression among women. Being a mother is a difficult process. Support her to make the journey easy.