Postpartum depression takes place in almost 10 % of mothers who have lately given birth to a child. It can be treated and is considered by doctors as an inherent part of birthing process. Depression symptoms show up in women in different ways, depending on the person.
Generally sadness occurs in three or four days after having a child. Postpartum depression actually is more than just being in a bad mood. Symptoms are likely to increase and becoming visible within three or four weeks or several months after having a baby. If the symptoms persist for 2 weeks, the doctor is to be informed. The professional will recommend an appropriate mental treatment and will also provide medical help.
Among the classic depression symptoms are listed below.
- Crying spells with feelings of emptiness, sense of hopelessness are the most common signs of postpartum depression.
- Emotion of overwhelmed state and sleepless nights, tears, irritability as well as moderate mood changes are telltale signals. The adverse effects usually peak on the 4th day and might last a week or more.
- Difficult sleeping; even when the baby is sleeping, the mother keeps awake, despite she is very tired.
- Women often show no interest in the things that were great fun and used to be interesting.
- Women in depression cannot focus their attention, cannot take a decision and are not able to remember simple things.
- Fatigue, sluggishness, lack of energy generally accompanies depression.
- Appetite changes; generally it refers to weight loss, but might also include weight gain.
- Constant drowsiness, very often combined with emotions of worthlessness and absence of the motivation to get up.
- The process of bonding with the child might not be as quick and strong as the mother has expected. This very thought can be inspired by a woman being worried of becoming a good mother for her baby.
- With the child birth women have much less free time. Because of this the mother may feel stressed due to extra work and different house routines.
Postpartum depression may be provoked by a range of conditions. The 1 week after giving birth to a baby is really full of changes. This makes women more sensitive to changing levels of hormones, resulting in feeling upset, downbeat and depressed. This happens not only after having a baby but also after a miscarriage and stillbirth. This condition can be best managed by a professional in mental health care, or you can refer to the regular doctor.
If untreated depression is likely to last for a few months, sometimes women suffer from postpartum depression over a year. The women with the diagnosis of depression might find it difficult bonding with the baby and taking care of her newly born child.