From the moment you first hold your little baby in your arms, a new period begins for you. As a fresh mother, you may encounter many new emotions. While your baby tries to adapt to this new world, you also try to adjust to motherhood, baby life, and this change. However, right at this time, a condition called postnatal depression, which affects about 2 out of 10 mothers to varying degrees and durations, may be waiting for you.
So what is postnatal depression? What are its symptoms? How long does it last? What are the ways to overcome this depression? Let’s examine together.
What is Postnatal Depression?
Mothers who have just given birth are called puerpera. The period, which lasts for about 6 weeks or approximately 42 days after childbirth, is defined as the postpartum period. This period is when the bond between mother and baby is established, the baby and the mother get used to each other, and the mother’s body needs time to return to its pre-pregnancy state. Therefore, many women may find this period challenging due to environmental, biological, and psychological factors.
In some cases, a mother may exhibit symptoms of depression during the postpartum period. Conditions that are more severe than postpartum blues are called postpartum depression or postnatal depression. While postpartum blues occur in 70-80% of women who give birth, postnatal depression can occur in approximately 20% of them.
What Are the Symptoms of Postnatal Depression?
Postnatal depression differs from the mild depressive state experienced after pregnancy with some symptoms. This depressive state is also called postpartum or baby blues. In the presence of postpartum blues, some mood changes are observed in almost every woman due to the rapid hormonal changes in the early days of childbirth, and these are considered normal. This blues mostly encompasses the responsibilities of motherhood, concerns about the baby, and the unhappiness that comes from the changes after childbirth. However, this condition is temporary. If the process continues and the following symptoms are observed, postnatal depression may be considered. Symptoms of postnatal depression:
- Severe sadness
- Numbness
- Irritability
- Sudden crying spells
- Sudden outbursts of anger
- Feeling worthless
- Lack of energy
- General body aches
- Insomnia
- Forgetfulness
- Complaints
- Depressive mood
- Feeling inadequate
- Lack of interest in caring for the baby
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Increased appetite and overeating
- Difficulty concentrating and memory loss
- Panic attacks
- Inability to enjoy life
- Feeling guilty
- Desire to exclude oneself from social life
- Thoughts of harming the baby
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Causes of Postnatal Depression
There may be various reasons for postnatal depression. We can divide the reasons as follows:
- Emotional fluctuations due to the sudden drop in pregnancy hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone, after pregnancy (Biological reasons)
- Mother’s genetic predisposition, problems between partners, early pregnancy, birth trauma, traumatic events from the past, financial problems, unwanted pregnancy, intense stress or depression before pregnancy, having other children at home, not receiving adequate support from family members (Psychosocial reasons)
How Long Does Postnatal Depression Last?
Postnatal depression usually begins in the first weeks after childbirth. The period between the 2nd and 8th weeks after childbirth is when baby blues can turn into a full-fledged depression. The effects of depression can last up to 1 year if left untreated. Therefore, the treatment is of great importance, as this condition can lead to different psychological problems in the future.
Treatment of Postnatal Depression
The following treatment methods are used for postnatal depression:
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressant medication
- Antipsychotic medication
Psychotherapy is the most commonly used method, and it is generally sufficient for the treatment of depression. The use of medication is much rarer. However, if medication is necessary, the doctor can use alternative options suitable for breastfeeding mothers.
What to Do About Postnatal Depression?
To prevent postnatal depression or to support postnatal depression treatment, some methods can be applied. The ways to overcome postnatal depression are as follows:
- First of all, be sure to support the mother. Spouses and close relatives, especially during the postpartum period, should not leave the mother alone and should make her feel that they are there for her.
- Help the mother with baby care. Especially mothers who give birth to their first child may worry about baby care and feel overwhelmed by the burden of motherhood. You should alleviate this situation.
- Help the mother with household chores as well as baby care. Share the burden with the mother as much as possible.
- Try to create time for the mother to have personal time.
- Ensure that the mother sleeps or rests when the baby sleeps.
- Limit visitors during the postpartum period.
- Spouses need to spend time together so that the postpartum mother can feel herself as she used to besides being a mother. Plan activities that can elevate the mother’s mood, such as a romantic dinner, a movie date, spending time alone, etc.
- The spouse should be sensitive to the mother and show that their love and interest in her have not changed. This way, the feeling of worthlessness in the mother can be eliminated.
- During this period, the mother should pay attention to her diet. Especially, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
- Take a regular walk or exercise for at least 15 minutes every day. Simple exercises that do not strain the body can also be included.
- Most importantly, do not hesitate to seek support from a specialist if there are symptoms.
Postnatal depression can be experienced at different durations and severities from person to person. It should not be forgotten that this condition is a disorder, and the mother should not be burdened too much. The significant changes experienced can be difficult for the mother to accept. However, the mother should be made to feel that she can overcome this situation and should be supported at all times.
