From Labour Pain To Post Labour Depression, A Mother Bears It All
Giving birth to a child is one of the reminisce moment that a mother cherishes forever. It brings her all the happiness of the world along with emotions like excitement, anxiety, and fear in some cases. This flow of emotions is a result of hormonal changes that occur in the female’s body post-delivery.
Mood-swings and stress are common among them and all this is a part of Postpartum or baby blues which is often disturbing for new mothers. According to WHO, globally around 300-750 per 1000 women suffers from Postpartum blues. If these symptoms go on beyond two weeks and become more intense, it is known as Postpartum Depression.
An unusual feeling of not being a good mother suffocates them and they even dissociate themselves from the baby. Deprivation from sleep, hopelessness, depression, crying without reason, having anxiety and, panic attacks are common symptoms of Postpartum depression.
The underlying causes of Postpartum depression involve hormonal changes in the body of women post birth of the child. There’s a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. Also, hormones from the thyroid glands drop sharply which causes the body to feel tired, inactive, and depressed. Apart from hormones, physical factors like lack of sleep and overwhelmed by the newly born often contribute to Postpartum depression.
Psychologist Purnima Sahai acknowledges baby blues or Postpartum blues as a precursor of Postpartum Depression. “Symptoms such as sadness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, crying spells, disturbed sleep or appetite, and feeling overwhelmed may appear within a few days of the childbirth. They may fade out on their own especially with the help of reassurance and support within a week or two. If the symptoms go on beyond two weeks and become more intense, we would call it Postpartum Depression. This is an indicator that one should reach out to a professional for help.” she added.
Sahai suggests a combination of Psychotherapy and medication for the treatment of Postpartum depression. “In case the mother is breastfeeding, its best to weigh the pros and cons of taking the medication with the doctor. Through counselling one may share thoughts and feelings that are bothering her along with figuring out effective ways of coping with and resolving problems” she recommended.
Postpartum depression is known to impact adversely on the growth of the newly born. Sahai believes that a mother who experiences a Postpartum Depression will very naturally be less able to attend to her child. “Many women in this condition find it tough to form a bond with their children, become negligent about self and child care, are unable to breastfeed the child, and often feel so drained of energy that the smallest task seems like a burden. Children of such mothers are said to have more behavioural, cognitive, and interpersonal problems along with being underweight than children of non-depressed mothers.” She further added.
In India, a meta-analysis conducted by WHO found that the prevalence of Postpartum Depression is 22%. The study further points out variations across regions. Also, it states that the global prevalence of postpartum depression has been estimated at 100‒150 per 1000 births.
Like other mental health problems, Postpartum Depression is often neglected in our society and people don’t even care to check with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Further, there is a huge dearth in remote areas on it which leads to avoidance and invites other health problems for both the child and the mother.
