What Exactly Is Postpartum Depression?
Learn what postpartum depression is and why all child-bearing women should know about it.
Today I want to talk about a very serious medical condition–postpartum depression. People often expect the postpartum time period to be a rather happy one; however, it’s important to realize that it’s not always that way.
What Exactly Is Postpartum Depression?
Every once in a while I have an appointment with a woman who recently had a baby and she breaks down crying at the postpartum visit. Having a baby is tough. Us women go through a lot– we carry this baby that we nurture for nine whole months and turn our lives upside down to accommodate this new bundle of joy, and when the baby arrives, all of a sudden our hormones come to an abrupt halt and we just don’t feel “right.”
Introducing a new person into our lives is a life-changing event and a big deal. We may not feel as happy as we think we “should be.” We may not quite understand why we feel this way and might feel guilty about it, but it’s actually quite common. This article will explain why many new mothers may feel “off” and what they can do about it.
What Are the Baby Blues?
There are two common variations of depression that come after giving birth. A milder form of postpartum depression is called the “baby blues,” and it typically begins within the first two to three days of delivery and resolves within two weeks. The baby blues is very normal and common. In fact, four out of five women experience the baby blues, and though the symptoms may be similar to postpartum depression, they are typically milder.
What About Postpartum Depression?
In contrast, postpartum depression usually persists for more than two weeks, and symptoms are often a tad more severe than in those with the baby blues. Up to fifteen percent of women experience postpartum depression within the first three months of delivery—making it pretty common as well.
We don’t really know what causes postpartum depression, but the sudden drop in hormones after childbirth is thought to play a role. Though women who have suffered from depression in the past may also suffer from postpartum depression, other women with it may have never had a previous episode of depression in their entire lives.
What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?
Those with postpartum often experience some or all of the following symptoms:
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Depressed mood or sadness
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Crying spells
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No desire or interest in previously pleasurable activities or hobbies
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Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
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Inability to focus or concentrate
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Abnormal appetite, whether it’s unusually increased or decreased
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Fatigue and abnormal sleeping (yet a tad difficult to distinguish from normal newborn care)
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Feeling of being overwhelmed that you cannot care for the baby
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Thoughts of hurting oneself, someone else, or the baby
Up to half of all women with postpartum depression have thoughts of hurting the baby, which can be very upsetting or scary. Just because the thoughts are there doesn’t necessarily mean that the intention to hurt the baby is really there, but experiencing these thoughts should be a great signal that you need help, and need help right away. If left untreated, there may be a real but rare potential for the thoughts to turn into something more dangerous and tragic, and so these thoughts should not be ignored.
Who Gets Postpartum Depression?
Any woman can get postpartum depression. However there are certain factors that may make it even more likely, including:
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Postpartum depression with a previous pregnancy: 25 to 50% of women with a prior postpartum depression will have another episode in a future pregnancy.
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History of depression at other times aside from pregnancy
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Major life stressors that occur during pregnancy or after giving birth
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Lack of support during pregnancy
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Personal relationship difficulties
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Family history of depression
How is Postpartum Depression Treated?
Even though postpartum depression seems scary, the treatment for it is often very effective. If you are experiencing postpartum depression, please pick up the phone and call your doctor, who should suggest two main treatments:
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Therapy: Support group and counseling has been shown to help those with postpartum depression.
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Medications: Certain antidepressants are safe to use in women, whether you are breastfeeding or not.
Remember that many women feel the same way after childbirth and that you are not alone. Because many women feel guilt and are ashamed of experiencing these intrusive and obsessive thoughts of hurting themselves or the baby, they may not reveal them. But feeling this way doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. Postpartum depression is a disorder that needs treatment, just like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, etc. So it is super vital that you discuss any of these symptoms with your doctor as soon as they begin. Your doctor will get you help right away.
If you need help or want to learn more:
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Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net/ or call 1-805-967-7636
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Postpartum Education for Parents: www.sbpep.org or call 805-564-3888
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health: www.womenshealth.gov/faq/depression-pregnancy.cfm
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American Association of Family Physicians: www.familydoctor.org/379.xml and www.familydoctor.org/871.xml
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Please note that all content here is strictly for informational purposes only. This content does not substitute any medical advice, and does not replace any medical judgment or reasoning by your own personal health provider. Please always seek a licensed physician in your area regarding all health related questions and issues.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Dr. Sanaz Majd is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Her special interests are women’s health and patient education.
