Having a baby is one of life’s most wonderful experiences. It’s exciting and joyous, but it can also be exhausting and frightening. After a woman has had a baby, she may find that she is confused and overwhelmed about the various emotions that she feels. She may worry that she’s unable to deal with the responsibility of being a full-time parent.
After childbirth, many women experience symptoms of depression that can range from a brief attack of the "baby blues" to a serious and major clinical depression known as postpartum depression. A great majority of new mothers, about 80%, will experience a mild form of "baby blues," usually within a few days after giving birth. These feelings will usually resolve on their own and often go away within 7 to 10 days.
Postpartum depression affects about 10% to 20% of new mothers. This type of depression can affect women who have never been depressed before. Approximately 50% of women who were depressed during or after their pregnancy will also experience depression during future pregnancies. Postpartum depression may begin anytime in the first 6 months after delivery.
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum depression. It is relatively rare, and requires immediate discussion and treatment with a qualified health care provider.
There has been no single cause identified for postpartum depression. In fact, many factors can contribute to it. They may include:
If you’re experiencing postpartum depression or the "baby blues" you should take care of yourself by getting adequate rest, eating a nutritious diet, exercising in moderation, and accessing your social support system. Listen and respond to your body’s cues for rest. If possible, get some rest during the day while the baby is napping. You may also need to call on friends, family, or a hired caregiver to help care for the baby so you can rest.
If you’re suffering from postpartum depression, you should also seek early treatment with a doctor so you can have a more rapid recovery. Treatment methods vary and may include counselling, antidepressant medication, antianxiety medication, and hormone therapy. Support groups may also be very helpful. Concerned family members should discuss these symptoms with the family doctor if the new mother does not want to speak with the doctor herself.
In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Usually, the baby will be admitted with the mother or taken in for visits. The goal of treatment for postpartum psychosis is to keep mother and baby safe and to preserve the mother’s sense of competence as a parent while she recovers.
Some antidepressants can enter breast milk and affect the baby’s health. However, this is not the case with all antidepressants. If you want to continue breast-feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medications that are safe to use while breast-feeding.
The good news is that there’s a very high recovery rate for postpartum depression. While some women may have a longer-lasting experience with depression, most women will find that the condition improves in a few months with appropriate treatment.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Postpartum-Depression
Pharmasave uses cookies to provide a personalized experience, analyze traffic, improve site performance, and provide social media features. By using our site, you agree to our privacy policy.