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Post-Pregnancy Depression
Depression may come at any point in time in our life. Post-pregnancy depression happens after the birth of the baby.
There are several symptoms including severe sadness depression loneliness irritability etc.
Here we mention the various aspect of post-pregnancy depression.
What is post-pregnancy depression?
Post-pregnancy depression or Postpartum depression is a type of depression generally found in women after giving birth.
There are tons of emotional changes that happen after giving birth to women. Series of emotional changes notice in Postpartum depression like the feeling of sadness, irritation, loneliness, anxiety about the future, etc.
The hormone plays a vital role in post-pregnancy depression. Hot and changes in hormones are the main culprit.
The previous history of depression –
If already a history of depression presents this play as a role of catalyst.
Some unwanted stress – if you are your partner didn’t want the pregnancy or your family member are not caring for the baby.
There are several factors also worsening the situation like domestic violence, monetary problem, partner addicted to drugs, or alcohol.
In some cases, it also is seen that your partner or family member wanted a male child but unfortunately, you give the birth of a girl child. Then constant pressure comes from the family member and partner leads to depression
The causes of postpartum depression –
The causes of postpartum depression aren’t completely clear, but a probable culprit is due to sudden changes in the levels of hormones after pregnancy.
A woman’s hormonal changes are associated with depression through life, with the potential risk of depression increasing during puberty and perimenopause.
Change of hormone prior to menstruation period another cause of post-pregnancy depression symptoms in some of the women.
So, it’s reasonable to assume that in some women with postpartum depression, hormones after pregnancy are the cause of the condition.
Postpartum Depression Hormones – A woman’s ovaries produce hormones that play important roles in both the menstrual period and pregnancy. Ovaries release eggs from follicles.
After the egg is released, the broken follicle produces estrogen and progesterone, which prepare the womb for pregnancy.
If conception occurs, levels of estrogen and progesterone continue to rise during pregnancy.
By the 3rd trimester, estrogen levels are about 50 times than non-pregnancy levels.
Progesterone will increase to ten times the amount seen before maternity.
After childbirth, levels of progesterone and estrogen plummet to normal levels within twenty-four hours.
Researchers believe that this speedy reduction in hormones when maternity causes the baby blues within the 1st few days when maternity.
The baby blues are a period of nervousness, mood changes, and mild depression frequently seen in new mothers.
Thyroid hormones also drop after childbirth, which appears to increase a women’s risk of thyroid problems.
According to an article published in the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, the normal rate of thyroid dysfunction in the general population averages 3 to 4 percent.
For six months after childbirth, the rate of thyroid problems in women rises to 7 percent.
Changes to thyroid hormones after pregnancy can cause hypothyroidism, which may cause depression symptoms.
Possible signs of hypothyroidism include –
Cold intolerance – Lethargy – fat gain. Women who present with symptoms of postpartum depression and hypothyroidism will likely be checked for thyroid dysfunction.
The presence of thyroid dysfunction changes the treatment choices for postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression, Hormones and Other Risk Factors –
After pregnancy, several hormone changes happen to the new mother’s body which is very complex. All new mothers experience significant bodily hormone changes after pregnancy, but relatively few develop postpartum depression.
This might indicate that women who are suffering from postpartum depression are more susceptible to hormonal changes than others.
The hormonal changes are only causing postpartum depression when along with additional depression risk factors.
Sign and symptom of post-pregnancy depression –
- Feeling a lack of energy for tiredness most of the time.
- Generalized weakness or body aches in the whole body.
- Changes in the activity of daily living like sleeping habit eating habits.
- Frequent changes of mood.
- Feeling of irritability.
- Feelings of agitation, anxiety, tension, headache, worries.
- Sleeplessness or lack of adequate sleep.
- No interest in anything or loss of interest.
- The feeling of loneliness and distance from the near and dear one.
- Sometimes experience a serious problem like a hallucination. This is a severe mental disorder which is known as postpartum psychosis.
If you are feeling sign hallucination or any problem like postpartum depression discuss with anybody.
The right treatment at the right time can and gives a better result for postpartum depression.
Are you at risk?
- Post-pregnancy depression is very common but it can be more severe that cannot imagine.
- In some cases, some predisposing factor plays a vital role. Here is the checklist by which you can understand if you are at risk.
- A past episode of Postpartum depression or depression history or Bipolar Depression.
- Previous family history of depression on mental disorder.
- Sudden death or life-changing event during the pregnancy.
- Not getting enough support from the family and near & dear one.
- A concern with babies’ health, or problems during labor.
Postpartum depression treatment
Many experts telling that Postpartum depression is not properly diagnosed. Because there is a lack of awareness and sometimes the patient is coming after a long time later.
So early diagnosis is the key factor.
If you are feeling any symptom of Postpartum depression immediately consult with your doctor or Health Care professional. Your doctor may give anti-depression medication along with a session with a counselor.
Besides this, changes in lifestyle also help to reduce the symptom of post-pregnancy depression.
Some advice is given below –
- Do regular exercise or join a Yoga class.
- Get adequate sleep at night, take at least 7/8 hours of sleep at night.
- There are several forums and helplines are present which can help.
- Discuss with your partner about your problem and the concern about the baby. Ask your partner to help you to overcome the situation.
- Changes in diet – proper healthy diet can boost your mood. Consult with a dietitian for a healthy diet.
Conclusion –
Post-pregnancy depression happens after the birth of the baby.
There are several symptoms including severe sadness depression loneliness irritability etc. Depression can be treated naturally also.
There are treatment options present like anti-depression drugs, counseling, lifestyle changes.
With proper treatment, medication and lifestyle changes can get rid of postpartum depression.