Postpartum Depression
Planned childbirth is a wonderful time for most couples who are anxiously awaiting the birth of their child. Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but it is often fraught with an onslaught of mixed emotions, from elation and joyful anticipation to fear of the delivery to anxiety and postpartum depression. Depression would be the last thing a women who really wants a baby would think she would feel after giving birth, but nevertheless it happens, it is real, and it exists.
There are three types of depression symptoms a woman can feel after childbirth. The most common is often referred to as the baby blues, the more severe kind is what is called postpartum depression, and the third and extremely rare form is called postpartum psychosis. These signs of depression do not make you a bad mother, nor does it mean that there is something wrong with you, it is simply a condition that certain women have after giving birth. The symptoms will vary from woman to woman and will depend up on the type of depression that she is experiencing.
Baby blues
Baby blues is a mild depression which only lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Women experiencing this kind of depression could experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, a decreased ability to concentrate, sadness and or crying, and they may have trouble sleeping.
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression seem like the milder form of baby blues in the initial stages; however, the symptoms last for longer periods of time and can actually interfere with a mother’s ability to care for her infant. It can also branch over into other areas of life. The symptoms to look out for include: loss of appetite, tremendous fatigue, insomnia, severe mood swings from intense irritability and full blown anger to loss of joy in life, social isolation from family and friends, loss of sexual desire, difficulty in bonding with baby and thoughts about harming one’s self or harming the baby.
Postpartum psychosis
postpartum psychosis is the most severe depression of this kind. This type of mental depression is extremely rare. It will manifest itself within the first few weeks after the birth of the infant. The mother may be confused and disoriented, experience hallucinations and delusions, become very paranoid and even attempt to harm herself and her baby.
There are several reasons, which can cause postpartum depression including life style attributes, physical and emotional stress. It is believed that drops in the hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen could be a factor. The drops in the hormone levels from the thyroid gland can also contribute to this depression. When the thyroid is under active, a person feels sluggish and tired all the time. Scientists also state that changes in the body metabolism and immune system, blood volume and blood pressure, can also cause mood swings and lethargy or fatigue.
A woman who has just had a baby is often sleep deprived due having to get up several times in the night to tend to the baby. Sleep deprivation will cause tiredness and mood swings. Then there are all the other concerns a new mother has such as being able to care for the child, knowing when the child is sick and needs a doctor’s care, worrying about infant death syndrome, money worries, stretch marks, and so many more emotional issues that can make a woman feel she is no longer attractive, or in control of her body or her life. Many of these emotional issues overlap into lifestyle concerns. For example, running a household with several other children, shopping, groceries, breast feeding, working outside the home, money issues, and lack of any real support from husband, family or friends can lead to postpartum depression.
If any of these factors, or any other conditions not mentioned here, become overwhelming and are causing you to feel depressed you may be at risk especially if you suffer from depression already and or you have bipolar disorder. It is important to seek the advise of your physician to deal with these issues. Your doctor will talk to you, ask you specific questions, take blood tests and perhaps get you to fill out a questionnaire to determine which time of postpartum depression you may be experiencing. Left untreated this condition can go on for over a year and affect the personality of the baby with regards to temper tantrums, language development, or hyperactivity. Woman may experience major depression, and more.
Treatment will largely depend upon the type of depression experienced and can include: counseling, antidepressants, hormone therapy, and electro convulsive therapy (ECT). To avoid postpartum depression, if you have a history of depression in your family notify your physician immediately. Your doctor will closely monitor your pregnancy and consequent delivery. Your Doctor may recommend lifestyle changes as well.
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