{"id":1025,"date":"2023-01-02T19:19:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T19:19:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-10-04T00:12:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T16:12:49","slug":"what-exactly-is-postpartum-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-exactly-is-postpartum-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"What Exactly Is Postpartum Depression?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Postpartum depression is one of many possible experiences a woman could feel after giving birth to a baby. Becoming a mother is one of the biggest changes in a woman\u2019s life. Upon giving birth, your life is no longer just about you, because a tiny human is literally completely dependent on you for survival. With sleepless nights due to feeding and diaper duties, coupled with dramatic changes to your physique – and those fluctuating hormones after giving birth, it\u2019s not surprising why postpartum depression (PPD) is a common consequence of childbirth. According to the NHS<\/a>, 1 in 10 women who give birth will suffer from postpartum depression. <\/p>\n

If you feel sad, depressed, lost, empty, inadequate or guilty of being unable to be fully present for your child two weeks after pregnancy, it\u2019s important to reach out to a mental health expert. To ascertain maternal health, a new mother has to be evaluated for PPD. Postpartum depression is a threat that can deter the mother\u2019s recovery, get in the way of mother-baby bonding, and can reduce her ability to provide the best possible care as a mom. In turn, postpartum depression is not only harmful to the mother\u2019s health, but also potentially harmful to the baby\u2019s safety and emotional development. Learn more about this mental health condition below, because it is critical to identify and treat postpartum depression immediately.<\/p>\n

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The Difference Between \u201cBaby Blues\u201d and Postpartum Depression<\/h3>\n

Giving birth takes a physical and mental toll on a woman\u2019s body, and messes with her hormones. It\u2019s also normal to feel tired and weary after birth, especially for those with traumatic deliveries and those who\u2019ve undergone a cesarean operation. Most women will experience the \u201cbaby blues\u201d after birth due to hormonal changes. It\u2019s also natural to feel anxious, afraid, and unsure about what to do, especially for a first-time parent. This stage should last for no more than two weeks and should disappear on its own as you get into the swing of motherhood.<\/p>\n

However, any extreme sadness, frequent crying spells, intense anxiety or fear, severe mood swings, and feelings of over-exhaustion for more than two weeks <\/em>after giving birth may be a sign of postpartum depression, which is a type of clinical depression. This is a long-lasting and more severe mood disorder that typically occurs after giving birth and could last for many months, depending on treatments received (if any). <\/p>\n

Notably, PPD can also impact fathers, adoptive parents, and surrogates since they can also experience emotional fluctuations, mental anxiety, social changes, and financial pressures after their baby is born. <\/p>\n

That being said, postpartum depression is more common in women who give birth because they experience physical pain and hormonal changes they experience during the process of carrying and delivering a baby. If you\u2019re feeling any symptoms of PPD, know that you are not alone nor is it your fault. It\u2019s important to get treated because this disorder can affect your healing and impede your baby\u2019s development. In extreme cases of psychosis, some moms have resorted to self-harm or harming their children. Unfortunately, studies show that 1 in 5 women<\/a> stay quiet about their symptoms and don\u2019t get the treatment they need for faster recovery.<\/p>\n

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Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression<\/h3>\n

Any new parent will suffer from exhaustion due to the sleepless nights that come with the high demands of having a newborn. However, a depressed mother with PPD could feel excessive tiredness and may be unable to function or perform her usual tasks. <\/p>\n

Here are the most common signs of postpartum depression: <\/p>\n