What is postpartum depression?
Don't confuse 'baby blues' with postpartum depression. Baby blues typically last from a few days to a week right after childbirth. This is very common and does not need treatment. However, postpartum depression disorder is considered to be a type of major depression, and the symptoms may last for days or months.
According to statistics 70% of new moms have mild to severe postpartum depression sympyoms. In fact, postpartum depression is more common than many want to admit.
The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to other forms of major depression. However, the difference between post natal depression and other forms of depression is that those who are suffering from postpartum depression will typically begin having symptoms about a month after having given a birth. In addition, signs of postpartum depression may also develop during the pregnancy as well.
Postpartum Depression Causes
Lifestyle Changes - Some women are not actually prepared taking care for a baby and do not expect the time and energy they need to spend every day. They will find that their lives are changed and the things they did once will not be possible to do anymore. Some may also have to deal with financial issues or not having enough support from their family and friends.
Emotional Changes - When women are generally overwhelmed and lacking of sleep they probably will become more irritable and might have trouble dealing with even the smallest tacks. This can make them much more upset about their ability to take care for the baby.
Physical Changes - After giving birth to the baby the level of progesterone and estrogens will dramatically decrease often leading to postpartum depression. In addition hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland may also decrease. This will cause feelings of tiredness and being depressed.
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Mothers who may be suffering with postpartum depression will experience some warning signs. If you are suffering from the next depression symptoms, you should consult with your physician.
Uncontrollable crying - Bouts of crying that begin and end without any reason at all are one of the common signs of postpartum depression.
Lack of Interest in the Baby - Women suffering from post natal depression find that they have lack of both energy and interest in their newborn baby. Many women do not like to admit this side effect of postpartum depression, even to themselves, for fear it makes them bad mothers. But lack of interest in the baby is a very common sign of postnatal depression, and completely normal.
Inability to Rest - No matter how tired, women suffering from postpartum depression have an increasing inability to rest or have a restful sleep. They cannot stay still, cannot seem to turn off their minds of worries, and cannot find comfort in slumber. This is a common and disturbing side effect of postnatal depression.
Loss of Appetite - Women suffering from postpartum depression have very little appetite or desire for food.
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Symptoms of postpartum depression can be very intense for some mothers and they can last for a few weeks to a few months. For some women the symptoms of postnatal depression will interfere with their ability to take care of their baby as well as everyday tasks.
- Insomnia - Loss of appetite
- No desire for sex
- Severe mood swings
- No joy in life and baby
- Feelings of shame and guilt
- Intense anger and irritability
- Heavy tiredness and fatigue
- Hard time connecting with the baby
- Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
- Becomes reclusive and cuts oneself from friends and family
What are some treatments for postpartum depression?
There are number of natural treatments that available to help you get through postpartum depression, once you admit you have it. One of the treatments for postpartum depression is to talk it out, this can be a therapist, and it can be your best friend, family member or another mother. Often joining a new mom support group is really helpful. You need to know that you are not alone; as a matter of fact some research shows that postpartum depression affects about 70% of new moms.
You can also try to include natural herbs in your daily diet that will help you boost your mood and energy. While there are many different natural herbal remedies and supplements available, you should talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement to treat postnatal depression especially if you are breast feeding to make sure there are not any negative effects for baby.
Aurum metallicum can be used by mothers who feel that their postpartum depression is severe and taking over them. Women that should look into this herbal supplement would be those that are starting to believe that baby would be better off without them, that the world would be better off without them.
Another natural herbal cure that is used by women when they feel that their postpartum depression is for emotional or hormonal reasons is Bugbane or Black cohosh (cimicifuga). Homeopathic remedy Ignatia (Ignatius amara) is another herbal remedy that is used by many mothers when they are starting to feel upset, tense or grief-stricken after giving birth.
There are still other natural treatments for postpartum depression including mediation, yoga, and aromatherapy and music therapy. Postpartum depression is completely treatable, and you can treat it effectively naturally.
Coping With Postpartum Depression
The best way to cope with postpartum depression is to consult with your physician. Research is still being conducted on the various treatment options for postnatal depression. However, the most common natural cures for postpartum depression that doctors prescribe are following:
• Medication or Supplements
Women are usually asked to take prenatal vitamins and iron after delivery eather. At times when postnatal depression becomes really severe, prescription antidepressants for postpartum depression are given like fluoxetine (Prozac), parxetine (Paxil), amongst others. At times hormone therapy can also help. An intake of estrogen combined with antidepressants can go a long way in curing postpartum depression.
• Therapy
Doctors generally recommend psychotherapy for mild cases of postnatal depression. Some women are asked to undergo a therapy called Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). IPT enables women to make adjustments at a social level. Typically, this option consists of 12 sessions with a therapist that is about one-hour long. However, in serious cases a doctor might place the woman in a hospital, if there is a danger that the baby or mother might be hurt in any way.
• Self care at home
One of the ways women can do this is by surrounding themselves with family members and friends who are extremely supportive. It involves the creation of a positive atmosphere around the new mother. Besides, postnatal depression sufferers must also take a good rest, socialize and not expect too much from themselves.
If a new mother is experiencing 'baby blues' for days, then it is probably due to libido and vitamins loss. My wife started to become irritated over small things after she gave birth to our first child. But we didn't ask a doctor for drug prescription. Instead, she just started to take a natural remedy for depression.