De-coding: Postpartum Depression

AGRITA CHHIBBER

Strong emotions can arise with the birth of a child, ranging from joy and excitement to dread and anxiety. However, it can also lead to depression, which is something you might not anticipate.

The majority of new mothers encounter the “baby blues” after giving birth, which include mood changes, sobbing fits, anxiety, and trouble falling asleep. The first two to three days following delivery are typically when baby blues start, and they can last up to two weeks.

Postpartum depression, a mixture of melancholy, hopelessness, and overwhelm, is surprisingly isolating for many women. It is caused by numerous stressors, such as inadequate child care, a lack of paid leave, and the immense burden of caring for a newborn and defenceless human being, in addition to the hormonal upheaval of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

One of the most common effects of childbirth, the syndrome can occur at any time during the first year postpartum and is different from the relatively short-lived “baby blues” that most women suffer shortly after delivery.

After giving delivery, depression strikes many women. We refer to this as postpartum depression. According to a recent study, many women experienced high levels of depressive symptoms at some point over the three years following childbirth. More than 4,500 women were questioned by researchers regarding their depressive symptoms four months, a year, two years, and three years after giving baby. These symptoms included self-blame, depression, worry, and trouble sleeping.

There were four groups of women. For the three years, most experienced minimal or no symptoms. Four months after giving birth, a second group exhibited few or no symptoms; nonetheless, these became worse with time. This was observed in 8% of the subjects. A further 13% experienced mild symptoms that got better with time. Five percent of women reported having severe depression symptoms over three years.

Women with a history of mood disorders were more likely to experience more severe, long-lasting symptoms. Pregnant women who had diabetes were likewise more vulnerable. Up to six months following childbirth, doctors currently test moms for postpartum depression. Longer screening periods may enable medical professionals to find more women who are experiencing the condition.

De-coding: Postpartum Depression — Image: Powershift

Signs and symptoms
Depression following childbirth can present with a spectrum of symptoms, from moderate to severe.

Symptoms of the baby blues
Baby blues symptoms might appear a few days to a week or two after your baby is born and can include the following:

Changes in mood
Uncertainty
Sadness
Intolerance
I’m feeling overpowered
Weeping
Diminished ability to focus
issues with appetite
difficulty falling asleep

Symptoms of postpartum depression
At first, postpartum depression symptoms can be confused with baby blues, but they are more severe and persistent. These can eventually make it more difficult for you to take care of your infant and do other everyday duties. Typically, symptoms appear in the first several weeks following childbirth. However, they can start sooner—during pregnancy—or later—up to a year after delivery.

Symptoms of postpartum depression could include:

extreme mood swings or depression
Too much crying, trouble bonding with your child, and withdrawal from friends and family
appetite loss or eating a lot more than normal
Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep, or excessive sleeping
extreme fatigue or lack of energy
Decreased enthusiasm and enjoyment for the things you used to enjoy Severe irritation and rage
fear of not being a suitable mommy
Despondency
Sensations of inadequacy, shame, remorse, or worthlessness
diminished capacity for focus, clear thinking, or decision-making
Anxiety
severe panic episodes and anxiety
Feelings of hurting your child or yourself recurring suicidal or fatal ideas
Postpartum depression can linger for several months or longer if left untreated.

Depression following childbirth in the other parent
Studies reveal that postpartum depression can also affect newlywed fathers. They might experience anxiety, exhaustion, sadness, or disruptions in their typical sleeping and eating schedules. Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression also have these symptoms.

Postpartum depression is most common in young fathers, those with a history of depression, those in troubled relationships, and those facing financial difficulties. Similar to how postpartum depression in moms can negatively impact partner relationships and the development of children, postpartum depression in fathers, also known as paternal postpartum depression, can also have these effects.

Speak with your healthcare professional if you’re a spouse of a new mother and you’re experiencing anxiety or depressive symptoms either before or after your child is born. The other parent’s postpartum depression can be treated with same therapies and resources offered to moms suffering from the same condition.

When to visit a physician
You could be reluctant or ashamed to acknowledge that you’re depressed following the birth of your child. However, make an appointment with your obstetrician, gynaecologist, or primary care physician if you exhibit any signs of postpartum depression or the “baby blues.” Seek care right away if you exhibit symptoms that point to postpartum psychosis.

AGRITA CHHIBBER is a research scholar and she is from Jammu, India

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