Post partum depression can occur after any delivery of pregnancy. This is also called peripartum depression. After the pregnancy, a woman experiences different hormonal changes in the body which can in turn trigger the symptoms of depression. A high amount of estrogen and progesterone remain in a patient's body the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery. The levels of hormone drop off very quickly which in theory can lead to depression. Even just small changes in the hormones affect a woman's mood.
Another factor that contributes to post partum depression is the decrease in the level of thyroid hormones after giving birth. The thyroid regulates the body's metabolism. Low thyroid levels can cause symptoms of depression. A simple blood test can show that this is really the cause of a woman's depression. If this is the cause, the doctor can prescribe thyroid medication.
Factors That Contribute to Post Partum Depression
Here are some factors that are determined to be the cause of post partum depression:
* The tired feeling after delivery followed by broken sleep patterns and not enough rest for new mothers. It takes a couple or more weeks for a new mother to regain all her strength.
* Feeling overwhelmed on being a new mother and having doubts in the ability of taking care of the baby.
* Feeling stress from the changes in work and home routines. Many women try their best to be the best mom and the perfect career woman. It is difficult to balance both at the same time.
* Having feelings of loss of identity, pre-pregnancy figure and feeling unattractive.
* Having less free time and less control of her time. This involves having to stay at home all day in order to take care of the baby and having less and less time to spend with her partner and friends.
The Symptoms of Post Partum Depression
If feeling these symptoms for longer than two weeks after pregnancy, then an individual may be having post partum depression:
* Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed at the same time.
* Crying a lot
* Having no energy or motivation
* Either eating too little or too much
* Having sleeping troubles
* Having trouble focusing, making decisions, or trying to remember things
* Feeling worthless and guilty
* Withdrawal from family and friends
* Having pains in the head or chest area, having heart palpitations and hyperventilation.
* Being afraid of hurting the baby or hurting yourself
* Having no interest in the baby
When you have these feelings, try to find remedy so that you can concentrate more on taking care of the baby. If you are having sleeping troubles try to get as much rest as you can and take naps when the baby naps. Stop putting pressure on yourself too. You can't do everything. Just do as much as you can and leave the rest. You can also ask for help when you are feeling tired. You should always give yourself a break. Give time to spend with your friends and husband too. You don't have to be with your baby all the time. With this, you can focus more in giving the baby the care that he or she needs. If these suggestions do not work, then please contact your Physician as soon as possible
While the birth of a new baby is a happy occasion, many women experience post partum depression within two years after the birth of a baby. Although 80% of parents have what is called “baby blues," which is characterized by occasional tearfulness and feeling overwhelmed, these moods are temporary, and are not actual post partum depression. The symptoms of post partum depression are quite similar to those of regular depression, except that post- partum depression deals with the specific circumstance of having a baby. While it is said that some men experience post partum depression as well as women, 5 to 25% of mothers will experience post partum depression at some point of their lives. Those who have a history of depression or are in certain circumstances are more likely to experience post partum depression than other mothers. There are many treatment options available for the problem, but women who are breastfeeding may not be able to take certain medications. Doctors may prescribe alternative treatments.
The signs of post partum depression are similar to other types of depression. Sadness is a symptom but it is not like ordinary sadness or moodiness. Negative thoughts become obsessive and are characterized by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The mother feels as if she is trapped, and at the same time, experiences unjustified guilt feelings and low-self esteem. She may sleep very little or excessively, and her eating patterns may change dramatically. She may neglect personal hygiene and have a feeling that she may harm herself or her baby. It is very important that a woman who is suffering from post partum depression seek help immediately, and that close family members are alerted to the problem. It is essential that a baby bond wit his or her mother at an early age, and since post partum depression can interfere with bonding, a mother should seek treatment for the problem.
Just the circumstances involved in having a baby can set a woman up for post partum depression, especially if she has a predisposition for depression or a history of the problem. Since babies often wake up in the middle of the night and demand constant care and attention, the extreme pressure and sleep deprivation takes a toll on a woman who might already be vulnerable. Other factors such as an absent spouse, a recent divorce, financial strain, and alienation from relatives increase the likelihood of post partum depression. It is for this reason that a support system for a new mother is essential for her health and the health of her baby.
Some women have traumatic births that give them symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as post partum depression. If the mother is suffering from a trauma, she might have flashbacks to the event or nightmares, may dread discussing it or returning to the place where she gave birth. She may feel alienated from her infant as the result of her trauma. This form of post partum depression is quite serious, and may require that someone else, like a spouse or a parent, take over the role of primary carer of the baby while the woman received the help she needs.
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