Sandra Vega, MD
Women's bodies go through many changes during pregnancy. But not much is spoken on the changes the body and mind go through after childbirth. Around one in nine mothers experience postpartum depression after giving birth. While some minor sadness or lack of emotion is normal, if it extends over 2 weeks, you should seek care from your health care provider for the health of you and your baby.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that involves the brain and affects your behavior and physical health. Postpartum can interfere with your day-to-day life and might make you feel unconnected to your baby. These feelings can range anywhere from mild to severe. New mothers may feel embarrassed, ashamed or guilty about feeling depressed – they may be worried they'll be seen as a bad mother. But it doesn't, and there is help.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Most women get the "baby blues" within a few days of giving birth. This typically lasts 3 to 5 days. If your baby blues don't go away, you may have postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum include:
- Eating too little or too much
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Memory problems
- Crying a lot
- Feeling restless or moody
- Having no energy or motivation
- Losing interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
- Having thoughts of hurting the baby
- Having thoughts of hurting yourself
- Not having any interest in the baby
- Having trouble focusing or making decisions
- Feeling worthless
Causes of Postpartum Depression
The major cause of postpartum depression is hormonal changes. While pregnant, levels of estrogen and progesterone are at their highest. In the first 24 hours after giving birth, those hormone levels quickly drop back to normal, pre-pregnancy levels.
How is Postpartum Depression Treated?
The two most common forms of treatment for PPD are therapy and medication. In therapy, you'll work to learn strategies to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act. Medication, such as antidepressants, can help relieve symptoms of depression
and some can be taken even while you're breastfeeding.
In the most extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy can be used.
Left untreated, PPD can affect the health of both you and your baby. So talk to your health care provider if you think you have PPD.
