health
The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect - depression.
Most new moms experience postpartum ‘baby blues’ after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.
But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme mood disorder called postpartum psychosis also may develop after childbirth.
Postpartum depression isn’t a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it’s simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is common among women in Pakistan, with a prevalence rate ranging from 28 to 63 per cent, placing it among the highest in Asia. PPD has devastating effects on mothers, infants and families. Several factors contribute to the development of PPD in Pakistan, including environmental, cultural and social factors. Pakistani women living in other countries are also at risk. Nurses can play an important role in identifying women at risk and helping them get the necessary treatment...
With postpartum psychosis - a rare condition that typically develops within the first week after delivery - the signs and symptoms are severe. Signs and symptoms may include confusion and disorientation, hallucinations, obsessive thoughts about your baby, hallucinations and delusions, sleep disturbances, excessive energy and agitation, paranoia and attempts to harm yourself or your baby.
Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to what happens normally following childbirth. They include difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, excessive fatigue, decreased libido, and frequent mood changes. However, these are also accompanied by other symptoms of major depression, which are not normal after childbirth, and may include depressed mood; loss of pleasure; feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness; thoughts of death or suicide or thoughts or hurting someone else.
If you’re feeling depressed after your baby’s birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your doctor and schedule an appointment. If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, get help immediately.
It’s important to call your doctor as soon as possible if the signs and symptoms of depression have any of these features:
New moms who feel that they are showing PPD symptoms should get in touch with their doctor. Although recovery may sometimes take several months, and in some cases even longer, it is treatable. The most important step on the road to treating and recovering from PPD is to acknowledge the problem. Family, partners, and the support of close friends can have a major impact on a faster recovery. It is better for the person with PPD to express how she feels to people she can trust, rather than repressing emotions. There is a risk of partners or other loved ones feeling shut out, which can lead to relationship difficulties that add to the PPD.
Self-help groups are beneficial. Not only do they provide access to useful guidance, but also access to other parents with similar problems, concerns, and symptoms. This may reduce the feeling of isolation. Sadly, in Pakistan the concept is relatively new and we don’t find such groups commonly.
Medications: The doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for people with severe PPD. These help to balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Antidepressants may help with irritability, hopelessness, a feeling of not being able to cope, concentration, and sleeplessness. These medications can help with coping also bonding with the baby but can take a few weeks to become effective. The downside is that antidepressant chemicals can be passed on to infants through breast milk, and there is little indication of the long-term risks.
A mother with PPD should discuss feeding options with her doctor so that selecting the right treatment, which may include an antidepressant, is safe for both her and the child.
Tranquilisers may be prescribed in cases of postnatal psychosis. However, in such cases, the medications should be used for a short time. Side effects include loss of balance, memory loss, light-headedness, drowsiness and confusion.
Psychological therapies: Studies have found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be successful in moderate cases of PPD. Cognitive therapy is also effective for some people. This type of therapy is based on the principle that the thoughts can trigger depression. The individual is taught how to better manage the relationship between her thoughts and state of mind. The aim is to alter the thought patterns so that they become more positive. For those with severe depression, where motivation is low, talking therapies alone are less effective. Most studies agree that the best results come from a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Treating severe postpartum depression: A person with severe PPD may be referred to a team of specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and specialised nurses. If the doctors feel that the patient is at risk of harming herself or her child, she may be hospitalised in a mental health clinic. In some cases, the partner or a family member may care for the infant while the person with PPD is being treated.
Lifestyle tips: The more a doctor knows during or even before a pregnancy about the medical and family history, the higher the chances are of preventing PPD. The following changes may help: