Coping with Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects about 10% of new mothers. Most people expect new mothers to be happy and excited over the miracle of birth. This is true for most women, but there are many who become overwhelmed by this life-changing experience. These women experience postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression. So how can you tell if you, or someone close to you, is suffering from this type of depression? There's a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms to look out for.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
A number of factors can lead to women experiencing postpartum depression. Changing hormone levels may be a cause. It is normal for estrogen and progesterone to drop to pre-pregnancy levels just after the birth, and this may be responsible for some of the milder symptoms of postpartum depression. If thyroid levels also drop, as they do in some cases, this can contribute to symptoms. Tiredness after the birth, lack of sleep, feeling overwhelmed, stress and the complete change in your life can also contribute to postpartum depression.
Sometimes you may be predisposed to suffer from postpartum depression. If you were depressed during pregnancy or have suffered from depression in the past, then you may experience the symptoms of depression after giving birth. An unwanted, stressful or difficult pregnancy, a difficult relationship or severe premenstrual syndrome can all contribute to postpartum depression.
Types of Postpartum Depression
If you're looking for signs of postpartum depression, then it's important to know that simply being tearful and overwhelmed immediately after the birth is not a sign of depression. In fact, many new mothers experience the baby blues. This happens between 3 and 10 days after the birth, and it can leave new mothers feeling tired and irritable. They may experience mood swings, lose their appetite and have trouble sleeping, but these symptoms don't last. Some research classifies this as the mildest form of postpartum depression, but it is normal and no treatment is needed.
Postpartum Care Articles, Videos & HowTos
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