Postpartum Depression: Making Sure You Don’t Get The Blues

Postpartum depression is likewise known as postnatal depression. This is a condition encountered by women after giving birth. Studies show a rate of 5 percent to 20 percent of women affected by this condition. Such complications usually occur within the fist few months after childbirth. The condition is indicated by having the feeling of extreme sadness and having other related psychological disturbances after giving birth to the baby. Here are some more facts about postpartum depression:

Women suffering from postpartum depression will be extremely sad, will cry a lot, will be moody and very irritable, will lose interest in most of her normal daily activities including taking care of the newborn
Women who have had a history of depression prior to pregnancy are more likely to go into postpartum depression
Treating postpartum depression may include the combination of using antidepressant medications and some forms of counseling

Having the Baby Blues

Having the baby or maternity blues is a mild condition suffered by 80 percent of postnatal women. Women suffering from this usually feel sad or lonely. This condition persists for a few hours or days after birth. However, it should be note that maternity blues is not the same as postnatal depression, as most people believe, and not its precursor. The former may last only for days and will be gone in a couple of weeks, while the latter may last for weeks or months.

Risks of Postpartum Depression

There are different risks particularly identified due to postnatal depression. They are as follows:
Because of the physical and emotional state of the mother, she will choose to have her baby formula-fed instead of breastfed, something that will put the baby at a big health disadvantage.
The depression spells will usually cause unwanted tension over the other members of the family.
The psychological and emotional state of the mother may lead to cigarette smoking, which obviously is hazardous to her and the baby’s health.
The depression will trigger poor marital relationships when the feeling of sadness or loneliness is felt most over the members of the family, especially her partner whom she feels is mistreating her.
Postpartum depression may lead to feelings of desperation over sexual activities to lessen the feeling of sadness or guilt with the current childbirth.

Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Several scientific studies support the notion that postnatal depression should be treated through application of various methods. Treatment should consider the factors that triggered the problem, and these treatment methods may include increase of partner support, additional help with childcare, and similar many others.

Women need prior attention when symptoms of depression appear. On the list bellow includes some of the various treatment options available for these women:

The mother should undergo medical evaluation to rule out other physiological problems
The mother may undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as psychotherapy
Possible medication may be advised by her doctor
Support groups that may include friends and family members and other women who are undergoing the same problem
Home visits/home visitors
Having a healthy diet and lifestyle in general
Getting consistent and healthy sleep patterns

Tagged with: Blues • Depression • Don't • Making • Postpartum • Sure

Filed under: Postnatal Depression

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