Postpartum depression
Having a child transforms your life. Parenting is fun, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. It’s common to feel anxious or unsure, particularly if you’re a first-time parent. However, you might develop postpartum depression if your emotions include excessive melancholy or loneliness, wild mood fluctuations, and a lot of crying.
Depression that follows childbirth is known as postpartum depression (PPD). Not just the individual giving birth is impacted by postpartum depression. Adoptive parents and surrogates are also susceptible. After having a kid, people go through hormonal, physical, emotional, monetary, and social changes. Postpartum depression symptoms may be brought on by these changes.
Know that you are not alone, it’s not your fault, and help is available if you suffer from postpartum depression. Your doctor or other medical professional can treat your symptoms and make you feel better.
What forms of postpartum depression are there?
Postpartum mood disorders come in three varieties:
Baby blues or postpartum blues
Between 50% and 75% of people experience the baby blues after giving birth. You will cry for extended periods of time frequently and for no apparent reason if you experience the baby blues, along with unhappiness and anxiousness. One to four days after delivery is when the condition typically manifests itself in the first week. Despite the unpleasantness of the situation, it normally goes away on its own after two weeks. The best course of action is to approach friends, family, or your spouse for support and assistance.
Postpartum anxiety
About 1 in 7 new parents experience postpartum depression, a much more dangerous disorder than the baby blues. If you’ve previously experienced postpartum depression, your risk rises to 30% with each pregnancy. Along with mood swings, incessant crying, impatience, and exhaustion, you could also feel guilty, anxious, and incapable of taking care of yourself or your child. Mild to severe symptoms may start to show up a week after delivery or gradually, even up to a year later. Despite the fact that symptoms can continue for several months, psychotherapy or antidepressants are very effective forms of treatment.
Postpartum schizophrenia
A very severe form of postpartum depression that necessitates immediate medical intervention is postpartum psychosis. Only 1 in 1,000 people after delivery are affected by this illness, making it very uncommon. The symptoms typically start soon after delivery, are severe, and linger for several weeks to months. Severe agitation, bewilderment, feelings of helplessness and shame, sleeplessness, paranoia, hallucinations or delusions, hyperactivity, quick speech, or mania are some of the symptoms. Due to the heightened risk of suicide and potential injury to the unborn child, postpartum psychosis requires rapid medical intervention. Medication, counselling, and hospitalisation are frequently used as treatments.
Those who have postpartum depression.
The postpartum blues are frequent. After giving birth, up to 75% of people experience the baby blues. One in five of these women, or 15%, will experience postpartum depression. Every 1,000 women experience postpartum psychosis.
How can I tell if I have postpartum depression or the baby blues?
Baby blues are a common side effect after childbirth. Postpartum depression and the baby blues have many of the same symptoms. However, baby blues symptoms are milder and linger for only approximately 10 days. The symptoms of postpartum depression are more severe and continue for weeks or months.
You may have the baby blues if you:
Have crying spells.
Feel overwhelmed.
Lose your appetite.
Have trouble sleeping.
Have sudden mood changes.
Remember, it doesn’t hurt to share your symptoms with your provider. They can assess if you need treatment for your symptoms.
What is the average postpartum depression duration?
One year after your child is born, postpartum depression may still persist. This does not, however, imply that you should experience “cure”
within a year. Discuss your symptoms and treatments with your healthcare professional. Tell the truth about your feelings. Consider carefully whether your current state of health is better than it was before to your diagnosis. They can then suggest continuing medical care for your problems.
Postpartum complications from depression
Untreated postpartum depression can make it harder for you to bond with your child and have an impact on the entire family:
You. If left untreated, postpartum depression can linger for weeks or even months and potentially develop into a persistent depressive condition. Postpartum depression can increase your risk of future depressive episodes, even with treatment.
Father of the infant. The father may be more susceptible to depression if the new mother is depressed.
Children. Children of moms who experienced postpartum depression were more likely to struggle with feeding and sleeping issues, cry more frequently than usual, and experience delays in their language development.
Prevention of Postpartum Depression
As soon as you learn that you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know if you have a history of depression.
Throughout pregnancy your physician can keep an eye out for signs. With the help of therapy, counselling, or support groups, you can manage the symptoms of mild depression. Even if you are pregnant, your doctor may still prescribe medicine.
once your child is born. An early postpartum checkup to look for depressive symptoms may be advised by your doctor. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can start therapy. Your doctor might suggest starting treatment as soon as you deliver the baby if you have a history of postpartum depression.
After childbirth, managing
Here are some suggestions to assist you in adjusting to having a baby at home:
Request assistance. Inform people of how they can assist you.
Be reasonable in your expectations for the baby and for yourself.
Exercise while adhering to whatever limitations your doctor may impose on your level of activity; go for a walk to get some fresh air.
Be prepared for both happy and terrible days.
Adopt a healthy diet and stay away from coffee and alcohol.
Make time for your partner to strengthen your bond.
Don’t cut yourself apart from family and friends; stay in touch with them.
When you first return home, limit visitors.
Examine incoming calls.
When your infant sleeps, you should also rest.
