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Giving birth is one of the most emotionally rewarding experiences in a woman's life. However, with the birth of a baby comes a time of many changes that some women find overwhelming. The mother's hormones have to adjust to her body not being pregnant any longer and thus it is par for the course for a new mother to experience a wide spectrum of emotions. This mild form of depression is what is referred to as "Baby Blues."
It is also quite common for a new mother to feel a bit of a let down after her baby's birth. The baby has been such a physical and emotional part of the mother's body for nine months and now suddenly the baby is a separate being. Some mothers also find themselves being jealous of the baby for taking away all of the attention that she received when pregnant. These feelings are absolutely normal and nothing to be ashamed of! Up to 80% of all new mothers experience the baby blues to some degree. The symptoms vary greatly and can start anywhere from a few hours after giving birth to a few days. As the mother's hormones begin to settle down and return to normal, the blues often go away on their own after only a couple of weeks. If you feel that the symptoms aren't improving and you are concerned about it, there isn't any reason why you have to wait for the whole 6 weeks until your follow up appointment to call your doctor.
Post Partum Depression (PPD) is a more serious form of depression that affects up to 20% of new mothers. A common misconception is that baby blues are synonymous with PPD - that is not true. The baby blues are a short-lived, mild form of depression, whereas PPD is more severe and can last longer if it goes untreated. Following are a list of symptoms for PPD:
-uncontrollable crying
-persistent sadness
-loss of appetite
-restlessness
-inability to sleep (not due to baby's night wakings)
-irritability
-moodiness
-anxiety or panic attacks
-difficulty concentrating
-lack of interest in your baby.
If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, it is likely that you could be suffering from PPD and should contact your doctor. Following is a list of more serious symptoms that warrant an immediate call to the doctor:
-uncontrollable fluctuation of moods
-feelings of wanting to harm your baby
-becoming withdrawn from society
-feeling out of control
-feeling suicidal.
Again these symptoms are no cause for shame or embarrassment and a doctor can help you through this, all you have to do is call.
The cause of Post Partum Depression is still unknown; however, there are several risk factors that can determine if a mother is predisposed to PPD or not. Following is the list of risk factors:
-history of PPD or depression
-family history of PPD or depression
-unplanned pregnancy
-marital problems
-financial problems
-pregnancy complications
-birth complications
-ill newborn
-early childhood abuse of mother.
These factors are not all inclusive, as a matter of fact, anything that can cause stress can be a contributing factor. It is important to keep in mind that these risk factor do not cause PPD; many women suffer from several of the aforementioned risk factors and never experienced any type of depression.
PPD can occur any time within the first six months of delivery and can get worse if it goes untreated. There are several methods of treatments, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Some doctors prescribe antidepressants, some suggest talk therapy, light therapy, exercise and diet changes. If you don't have support from a spouse or family, a journal is a good way to let off some steam. The most important objective here is to keep the lines of communication open with your doctor, so that a serious problem doesn't have the chance to develop.
There are so many facets of PPD that it would be nearly impossible to cover every symptom and risk factor here. A good rule of thumb is that if you feel uncomfortable with something that is going on, talk to your doctor about it. One last point I'd like to make is that if you are being brushed off by a doctor who is telling you that you are overreacting, go to another doctor if you feel like the situation warrants it. You know your body and you know your emotions; do whatever you have to do what is in the best interest of you and your new baby, your health and safety comes first!
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