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Experiencing unhappiness after childbirth, sometimes referred to as the “baby blues,” is not the same as having post partum depression. Up to 85 percent of mothers experience the “baby blues” or the emotional letdown after the birth of the baby. Post partum depression however, is a more lasting and serious condition related to social expectations about what normal womanhood and motherhood should be. No biochemical explanation of women’s unhappiness after childbirth has been uncovered and psychoanalytic explanations of post partum depression cannot be validated empirically. It is essential that the mother recognizes the symptoms of post partum depression and seeks help for herself as soon as possible.


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Steps

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    Recognize that the symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to the “baby blues.” It’s important to understand that although these two conditions are alike in many ways, post partum depression is a much longer lasting and more intense condition.
    • Symptoms of the “baby blues” can be mood changes, tearfulness, anxiety, confusion, fatigue and appetite changes and are generally suspected to be the result of rapid hormonal changes coupled with sleep deprivation.
    • The “baby blues” may last for 10 to 14 days, and end with a little more sleep, growing confidence and the establishment of a feeding routine.
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    Understand when it is likely to occur. About half the cases of post partum depression occur between 6 and 10 weeks after birth.
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    Learn the common symptoms. The symptoms of post partum depression include loss of interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, significant weight gain or loss, changes in appetite or sleep patterns and excessive anxiety about your child’s health.
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    Inform your doctor if you have a history of depression. If you have a family history of depression or if you have suffered from it after a previous birth, you will be considered to be at a higher risk for postpartum depression. Stress from external sources such as financial problems or lack of family support are also indications. Understanding and identifying the symptoms is the best approach for early treatment and shortening the course of the depression.
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    Communicate with your partner. This process is very important in order to overcome negativity, feelings of isolation and an inability to function satisfactorily.


Tips

  • The best cure is prevention and the knowledge that there is no such thing as a perfect mother may help to overcome feelings of inadequacy or guilt.
  • It has been common in hospital deliveries for mothers to have restricted access to their babies and it is now known that early maternal-infant interaction is essential in the immediate post-natal period. Caps and masks should not be necessary with the normal handling of the new baby, to reassure mothers that sickbed protocols and procedures are not essential to a normal healthy birth. The standard hospital setting does not always help a new mother develop the skills and confidence she needs to care for herself or her new baby, and often she will leave hospital feeling insecure and with low self esteem.

Warnings

  • Post partum depression can have lasting effects on a woman’s confidence in herself as a mother and on her infant’s social, emotional and cognitive development. It is important for mother and baby that she has the information and support to distinguish between the “baby blues” and post partum major depression and that she seeks professional help if needed.
  • Well-educated women tend to recognize postpartum depression as a normal response to motherhood, linked to loss of identity, autonomy, independence and paid employment. The barriers preventing women from seeking help are commonly women’s inability to express their feelings, reinforced by family members and health professionals’ reluctance to respond to the mother’s emotional and practical needs. The lack of knowledge about post partum depression and the existence of numerous myths about it is also a barrier to mothers, especially new mothers, from recognizing the symptoms of depression.
  • It is important for the sake of the baby to get help as you do not want a difficult and insecure relationship with the baby to become established. Mothers should ask for additional support and counseling and medical therapy if recommended and take part in postnatal follow up programs and support groups wherever possible.
  • If symptoms still develop, then there may be other psychosocial factors to consider. If women are getting good prenatal care and support, factors such as child abuse, spousal abuse and alcohol or drug abuse should have been identified and treated. In a recent study, postpartum depression was most strongly associated with poor marital adjustment, recent life stressors, lack of social support, abuse of the mother and a history of psychiatric disorder.

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Sources and Citations

  • Enkin, Keirse et.al. A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Third Edition 2000, Oxford University Press
  • Stone,J. MD and Eddleman,K. MD The Pregnancy Bible, Firefly Books Fourth Edition 2011
  • Wilson,L.M.MD, Reid,A.J. MD et.al. Antenatal psychosocial risks associated with adverse postpartum family outcomes.Canadian Medical Journal, March 1996
  • Whitton,A, Warner,R et. al. The pathway to care in postnatal depression; women’s attitudes to postnatal depression and its treatment. British Journal of General Practice, July 1996
  • Epperson, C.N. MD Postpartum Major Depression: Detection and Treatment. The American Family Physician April 1999.

Article Info

Categories: Stub | Pregnancy | Raising Children

In other languages:

Español: reconocer la depresión posparto, Italiano: Riconoscere una Depressione Post Partum, Português: Identificar a Depressão Pós Parto, Русский: распознать послеродовую депрессию

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