During the postpartum period, about 85% of women experience some form of mood disturbance. For most the symptoms are mild and fleeting. However, 10 to 15% of women develop more significant symptoms of depression.
Postpartum psychiatric illness is typically divided into three categories which are:
(1) postpartum blues (2) postpartum depression and (3) postpartum psychosis. Postpartum blues is the mildest postpartum psychiatric illness while postpartum psychosis the most severe form.
Baby blues is a short-lived condition that 75-80% of mothers could experience shortly after childbirth.
After the placenta is delivered, the placental “hormone factory” shuts down causing massive changes in hormone levels, the woman can suffer symptoms due to withdrawal from the high pregnancy levels of oestrogen, progesterone and endorphins.
Combined with this shift in hormone levels is the physical, mental and emotional exhaustion as well as sleep deprivation typical of taking care of a newborn. All of these factors contribute to the condition.
Symptoms are:
• Weepiness and bursting into tears.
• mood swings.
• Anxiousness and hypersensitivity to criticism.
• irritability.
• Poor concentration and indecisiveness.
• Feeling ‘unbonded’ with the baby.
• Restlessness insomnia.
The Blues are considered to be normal. They don’t feel good, but it’s mild and transient. Moreover, the Blues should be gone by about two weeks after delivery. No professional treatment is required other than education and support for the new mother, Do take note that sometimes the blues may show the development of a more significant mood disorder, particularly in women who have a history of depression.
If symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, the patient should be evaluated to rule out a more serious mood disorder.
Postpartum depression PPD typically emerges over the first two to three postpartum months but may occur at any point after delivery. Postpartum depression is clinically indistinguishable from depression occurring at other times during a woman’s life.
No conclusive evidence indicates that baby blues will lead to a subsequent episode of depression. Several studies do indicate that an episode of postpartum depression increases the risk of lifetime episodes of major depression.
Postpartum Depression
-Symptoms last longer than two weeks after giving birth, are much more severe than baby blues symptoms and interfere with functioning.
–You might experience feelings of anxiety, sadness (crying a lot), depression, irritability, guilt, lack of interest in the baby, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating, thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of harming the baby or yourself, obsessions, loss of interest in usual activities, feeling worthless, incompetent or inadequate to cope with your baby, fatigue and/or excessive worry about the baby’s health.
Generally, if two weeks go by after delivery and the symptoms of depression persist, the woman needs to contact her doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor will then follow you or refer you to a specialist for possible treatment, which most commonly can include psychotherapy, medication therapy. Women experiencing the baby blues can also find some relief early on by obtaining extra sleep and adding more social support and help if possible,
How can you cope with baby blues? • Don’t blame yourself; you are not a “bad mother”
• Talk about your feelings with someone you trust
• It is OK to have some negative feelings about parenting
• Let your partner and/or family know how they can help you Try to rest when the baby sleeps
• Have healthy snacks and get help with meal preparation
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Get out of the house every day for fresh air
• Be physically active every day
Postpartum depression requires treatment, so women experiencing symptoms discussed above for over 2 weeks after delivery need to see a doctor.
Husbands and family members have a huge role to play by looking out for the warning signs and ensuring the women receive care which is readily available,
You can discuss with your gynaecologist who can then refer you to see a psychiatrist. Most hospitals have a visiting psychiatrist so help is available,
Depression is the 2nd leading cause of disability worldwide says WHO. This means its nothing to be ashamed of, its commoner than you think and help is available. Endeavor to seek help if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or you know anyone who is.