Most women experience anxiety, mood changes, and tearfulness in the weeks following childbirth. However, these symptoms may become more severe and persistent, indicating postnatal or postpartum depression.
According to a review of clinical studies (2014), postpartum depression usually begins within the initial three months after giving birth. According to the researchers, it can remain a long term problem for a few women, mainly if they don’t receive treatment.
Almost fifteen percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth, which translates to about 1 in 7 women, according to a report by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH).
Postpartum depression is a severe mental illness. It is dissimilar from the “baby blues,” a feeling of fatigue, sadness, and anxiety that affects up to eighty percent of women after delivering a baby. The baby blues generally go away within three to five days.
PPD, or postpartum depression, is a form of clinical depression that begins after a baby’s birth. General symptoms include:
No one knows precisely what causes PPD, but it’s possibly several different things like any other form of depression.
The postpartum period is exceptionally vulnerable. Most of the common causes of clinical depression, such as extreme stress, biological changes, and significant life changes, all happen at a time [1].
For instance, the following may occur after giving birth:
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Mild low mood after childbirth is prevalent and typically resolves after 1 or 2 weeks. This is generally an adequate time for new parents to develop a routine with their infant, get comfortable at home, and return to normal for women’s hormone levels.
However, postpartum depression lasts for prolonged periods and generally begins later.
Postpartum depression will begin 1 to 3 weeks after delivery for many new mothers, and it will be more prominent if baby blues symptoms do not resolve or worsen. However, bouts of postpartum depression can begin as late as 12 months after childbirth.
Without treatment, postpartum depression can become a chronic depression or worsen, leading to postpartum psychosis. If symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both do not get better after 2 weeks, see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Typical timelines for postpartum depression include:
Postpartum depression progresses differently for every new parent, but the typical progression begins with mild depression symptoms that worsen over several months. Exhaustion, sadness, anxiety, and mood swings, including anger or fear, are the most common symptoms that get worse.
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It is essential to know that neither the postpartum depression nor baby blues are due to anything that the woman has done. It is a general issue that many women experience, which does not mean that they are not good mothers.
Some factors do appear to aggravate the risk of postpartum depression.
They include having:
Other factors that are believed to trigger a role include:
Poor health in the child did not appear to increase the vulnerability of long term postpartum depression.
The experts urged physicians to be ready to spot the signs that postpartum depression is becoming chronic and consider the wider factors that can lead to depression.
They also called for further research on the causes of postpartum depression and its likely duration.
[Also Read: How to Manage Anxiety During Pregnancy]
Anyone who has apprehensions about how they feel after giving birth should see a physician, who will offer effective treatment. The treatment options can include:
A physician may prescribe an antidepressant, such as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). They will work with the person to establish a proper dosage. Once they do this, the woman may continue to use the medication for six to twelve months. The physician will also discuss how medication can influence breastfeeding.
This treatment makes use of magnetic waves to activate and stimulate nerve cells. It will not interfere with breastfeeding and is noninvasive. Physicians usually give this treatment five times a week for 4–6 weeks.
Attending cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions may also help, mostly, if a woman does this along with other treatments. A person can also take some steps at home that can help bring relief.
It is also a smart idea to avoid making significant life changes around this time, as they can add to the stress.
Postpartum depression affects most women after giving birth. Without treatment, it can persist for weeks, months, or even years. However, treatment can help ease symptoms and enhance the quality of life.
Anyone who has apprehensions about their feelings should speak to a doctor or healthcare professional. A loyal family member or friend can often assist in getting help if the woman does not feel that she can do this herself.
Seeking treatment for postpartum depression can bring benefits for the baby, woman, and wider family in the long term.