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Postpartum Depression: Help for New Mothers
After birthing, about 80% of women will experience some type of mood disturbance, depression
or anxiety. The BABY BLUES is a very common experience during the first few weeks postpartum. Anxiety is more common than
actual depression along with moodiness, irritability, appetite changes, fatigue, lack of sleep, feeling overwhelmed, and oversensitivity.
These symtpoms may last a few days or weeks and go away by themselves. No treatment is needed.
Five to twelve
percent of women will experience Postpartum Depression (PPD) after birth. This usually emerges in the first two to three months
postpartum but may occur earlier and may even start during pregnancy. The symptoms are the same as depression: depressed mood,
loss of interest, feelings of guilt, sleep and appetite disturbances, poor concentration, thoughts of suicide, fatigue, among
others. Significant symptoms of anxiety also often occur. This could be a general sense of anxiety or panic attacks. Some
women have obsessive and anxious thoughts concerning their baby.
There are certain risk factors. A major one
is sensitivity to hormonal changes in the body. You know if you are sensitive if you have premenstrual depressive symptoms,
adverse response to oral contraceptives, and mood changes during pregnancy. There is an increase in estrogen and progesterone
during pregnancy. After birthing, the level of these hormones drop very quickly and dramatically. Some women appear to be
more sensitive to these changes. Another view is that prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production, has a significant
impact on this mood disorder. Other risk factors are prior depression after birthing, prior depression, lack of support, and
abuse/trauma history.
Postpartum depression should be treated. A medical evaluation should be done to screen
for medical issues like postpartum thyroiditis. Medical interventions may include antidepressants primarily and possibly estrogen,
and or thyroid medications. If you are breastfeeding, extra care would need to be taken around medications. Your medical doctor
can best advise you about this. Mind/body treatment consists of therapy for the depression which is geared to the specific
issues for women with new babies. A 10-session cognitive-behavioral therapy program has been found to have significant
positive impact and reduction of depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found to be as effective for treating this
type of depression as medications.
Along with an evaluation and treatment by your medical doctor and then psychologist,
there are many things you can do to help yourself. Get help from family and friends. Reduce stress to the minimum. Don't tackle
any major tasks or changes now. Get time for yourself. Join a support group. When you are medically cleared to do so, exercise.
Don't give up your interests and hobbies.
Check out these sites for more information: www.postpartum.net postpartumdads.org Check out these books: Pregnancy Blues: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Depression During Pregnancy by
Shaila K. Misri M.D. and Beyond the Blues by Shoshana Bennett Ph.D. and Pec Indman.
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