Postpartum depression

Childbirth is a time of great change for a woman and the adjustment to these changes can contribute to depression. There may be an obvious reason, but often there is none.
It may happen that new mothers start to feel sad without any understandable reason or inadequate to face the responsibilities in front of them.
It is important to make clear that these kind of feelings in most cases are natural and physiological and often they are due to the great tiredness the delivery brings and the levels of hormones that quickly return to normal.

Typologies and treatment

- The "baby blues" are a passing state of heightened emotions that occurs in about half of women who have recently given birth. A woman with the blues may cry more easily than usual and may have trouble sleeping or feel irritable and sad. This state may last from several days to 2 weeks and symptoms generally go away on their own with the patience and love of family and friends.

- Postpartum depression is a depression that occurs soon after having a baby. Some health professionals call it postpartum non psychotic depression. Symptoms include depressed mood, tearfulness, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, trouble in sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, suicidal thoughts, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, and impaired concentration. If you experience postpartum depression, you may worry about the baby's health and his well-being. You may have negative thoughts about the baby and fears about harming him.
Symptoms may last from few weeks to one year; in this case doctors may prescribe antidepressants (with the consequent interruption of breastfeeding) and psychotherapy to be carried out even after symptoms disappearance.

- Postpartum (puerperal) psychosis is the most serious postpartum disorder. It requires immediate treatment.
This condition is rare. A woman with this condition experiences psychotic symptoms within 3 weeks of giving birth. These include false beliefs (delusions), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), or both. This condition is associated with mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. Symptoms can include also inability to sleep, agitation, and mood swings. In such a cases baby or mother’s life can be seriously at risk. The best solution is the hospitalization and a targeted treatment.

Postpartum Depression Causes

The risk factors that may lead to the arise of this phenomenon are hormone imbalances, mental illness before pregnancy, traumatic events during the latest period, conflict in the marriage, loss of employment, or poor social support from friends and family. Often, post partum depression occurs in single mothers who are emotionally weaker.

Prevention

Even though postpartum depression is primarily linked to your physiology, your emotions and feelings, it is possible to prevent or at least minimize depression’s onsets by acting in particular at a psychological level.

For example, it may be useful limiting visits in the days soon after the return at home, sleeping during the same hours the newborn sleeps too, finding moments to dedicate to rest and your baby like nappy changing, follow a well-balanced diet, strengthens the relationship with partner, family and friends.
It is also extremely important to ask for help whenever you need it and keeping a realistic attitude towards yourself and the baby, being aware that you are going through a period of ups and downs but that within a few days any discomfort will disappear leaving the way to the joy and happiness maternity can give you.

It may also be important receive some help from family and friends, for example in doing housework, taking the baby out in the pram or simply listening to you and giving you the support you need.