Postpartum Depression

Motherhood comes with many emotional ups and downs. During the time of motherhood, Mother is filled with so much of joy and love that can’t be explained in words.

But Postpartum depression is a painful and destructive tornado in any mother’s life. Postpartum depression is when a mother suffers from depression after childbirth. This depression can be started at any time after the child is born.

Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first two months after childbirth. This type of depression also can happen after stillbirth and miscarriage.

Postpartum depression can make the mother feel sad, hopeless and worthless.

In some cases, a woman may have a serious form of depression called postpartum psychosis. This is an emergency because it can quickly get worse and she or others in danger.

So, it is very important to get treatment for depression.

Postpartum depression may be due to a change in hormone levels that occur after pregnancy. Any woman can get postpartum depression in the month after childbirth, miscarriage or stillbirth.

There are some reasons for postpartum depressions:

a) poor support from partners, friends or family.

b) have a seek or preterm baby

c) have a lot of other stress in life

d) may have depression or postpartum depression before

A woman has more likely to get postpartum psychosis if she or someone in her family has bipolar disorder( also known as Manic depression).

Symptoms

1) feel very sad, hopeless and empty

2) lost pleasure in everything

3) may not feel hungry and lose weight

4) have trouble sleeping

5) not able to concentrate

6) irritability

7) anger

8) fear – it is so bad that it is gripping thoughts can paralyze and suck the life. Fear you will hurt yourself or your baby.

9) restlessness

10) mood swings — caring for a little baby is not an easy task. Especially, if they have more than two. As the hormone changes, one moment feels so happy and in another moment feel sad, not interested in baby and wanting to crawl back in bed for the rest of the day.

11) anxiety — it usually affects women during their pregnancy and till the baby’s first year of life. Anxiety and nervousness can happen from worrying.

12) loss of interest- in eating, going to work, taking care of baby, pursuing hobbies and caring for yourself.

13) these types of symptoms can occur in the first or two days after the birth.

A woman who is suffering from postpartum psychosis may feel cut off from her baby. She may see or hear things that are not present. Any woman who has postpartum depression can have a strong feeling of suicide or harming her baby.

Treatment

Postpartum psychosis or depression is treated with counselling and antidepressant medicine. Some antidepressants are thought to be safe for women who are breastfeeding.

To get free from depression,

Eat well

Get some exercise every day

Think positively

Sleep as much as possible

Seek support from family, partners and friends, if possible

So, these are some ways to get rid of postpartum depression.

Dr S.k.jha