If you’re a newly postpartum mom or a pregnant mom in your third trimester of pregnancy, this post will be especially helpful for you. Here’s everything you need to know about postpartum mental health and specifically postpartum depression causes.
It’s normal and expected to prepare for baby’s arrival with clothes, diapers, bottles and all the things. But for some reason, no one tells us that we need to prepare for postpartum recovery too, which includes understanding how to deal with postpartum emotions.
After birth, your body will go through not only physical changes but a lot of emotional changes too. This post will specifically discuss postpartum depression, postpartum depression causes, how postpartum hormones play a role, managing postpartum hormones, baby blues vs postpartum depression and so much more.
This post is all about postpartum depression causes.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Mental Health
Being a newly postpartum mom comes with every emotion you can possibly imagine: love for your new baby, happiness, exhaustion, overwhelm, and at times even sadness.
The truth is, it’s normal to feel anxious as you adjust to your new role as mom and the world around you seems to change overnight but it’s also important to know what postpartum warning signs to look out for in case there is something more serious going on like postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious and long lasting form of depression that many women experience during the first year after giving birth. It can often be confused with the baby blues but it is a much more intense and longer lasting condition that impacts your ability to care for your baby and handle daily tasks.
Postpartum depression is in no way a character flaw or weakness. Having a baby is a major, life-changing event but for some women so profound feelings of sadness, overwhelm and a lack of interest in the baby or life in general can persist.
A mother with postpartum depression may feel embarrassed or ashamed about not being perfectly happy after having a baby or feel that others would judge her if they knew all the struggles she was going through behind closed doors.
Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression vs Postpartum Anxiety
- Baby Blues – Describes the short period of time (~2 weeks) following your child’s birth where you may feel sad, worried, irritable, moody, overwhelmed, trapped and may cry a lot. This postpartum emotional change is extremely common and approximately 70 to 80% of new moms experience some form of mood swings or negative feelings after birth.
- Postpartum Anxiety – Takes the baby blues a step further. Being a new mom can be stressful but those with postpartum anxiety usually have overwhelming, irrational worry that does not go away on its own after a few weeks like the baby blues. It takes new mom concerns but makes them feel more extreme and persistent.
- Postpartum Depression – A more serious condition that many women experience during the first year after giving birth. It typically lasts for several weeks, months or even a year and usually requires prompt treatment to help manage symptoms.
Related: How To Tell If You’re Experiencing Baby Blues Symptoms
Signs of Postpartum Depression
- Crying
- Insomnia or wanting to sleep all day
- Extremes of eating – loss of appetite or wanting to eat everything
- Intense irritability
- Difficulty bonding with baby
- Severe anxiety
- Loss of interest in doing things you used to love
- Excessive worry about your baby’s health
- Inability to care for yourself or your baby
- Little interest in or negative thoughts towards your baby
- Fear of being alone with your baby
- Social isolation
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or helplessness
How long does postpartum depression last?
Postpartum depression typically presents itself in the first few weeks after birth and can last for several weeks, months or even a year and usually requires prompt treatment to help manage symptoms.
This differs from the baby blues which typically only lasts for about two weeks after birth.
Postpartum Depression Causes & When To See A Doctor
Postpartum Depression Causes
There’s no one single thing you can point to because in reality there could be many postpartum depression causes, but postpartum emotional changes and physical changes definitely have an impact.
Postpartum Emotional Changes
Sleep deprivation and feeling overwhelmed can make it hard for a person to handle simple problems, let alone a mother who just went through birth.
Every new mom experiences a rollercoaster of emotions following the birth of her child. One minute you are the happiest parent in the world and the next you may be feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and possibly anxious about your ability to care for your newborn.
Regardless of how your baby came into the world, it is normal to feel that rollercoaster of emotions from hour to hour and day to day.
But I want you to know that every emotion you are feeling is valid and other moms are going through it too, they just might not openly talk about it.
Postpartum Physical Changes
Postpartum hormones are another contributing factor to postpartum depression. After you give birth, your hormone levels (progesterone and estrogen) dramatically drop. Other hormones may also drop too which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed.
It is important to remember that your hormones are going crazy after birth, your lifestyle has
changed overnight and you probably are not getting the sleep that you are used to. It can be a lot for anyone to handle!
When To See A Doctor
You might be reluctant or embarrassed to admit feeling depressed after the birth of your baby. But if you’re experiencing signs of postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression and they don’t go away after two weeks, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Signs to look out for include:
- Doesn’t fade after two weeks
- Getting worse
- Makes it hard for you to care for your baby
- Includes thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If at any time, you have suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help from your partner or loved ones to take care of your baby and call 911 to get help. You can also seek help from your medical provider, call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or use their webchat on www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.
Postpartum Depression Complications
Postpartum depression can have a ripple effect and cause strain on everyone close to the new baby. This includes mothers, fathers and even the children themselves.
If left untreated, postpartum depression in mothers can increase the risk of additional future episodes of depression as well as increase the risk of depression in the new father. Plus, new dads are already at a risk of postpartum depression even if their partner is not.
Postpartum Depression Prevention
If you have a history of depression, it is important to talk to your doctor before becoming pregnant and/or as soon as you become pregnant.
Your doctor will be able to monitor you throughout your pregnancy for any signs of postpartum depression and recommend a support group, counseling or other therapy if he or she thinks it will help you.
After pregnancy, your doctor may want to do an early screening for postpartum depression as well as continue to monitor you closely. It is important to identify postpartum depression early so it can be treated right away. Your doctor may even recommend an antidepressant therapy or psychotherapy after delivery if it will help.
Managing Postpartum Emotions with Natural Remedies
- Get sleep.
- Ask for help.
- Go for a walk.
- Give yourself grace.
- Talk to other mom friends.
- Set small goals for yourself.
- Eat healthy, regular meals and snacks.
- Take small breaks from the baby.
- Avoid overdoing anything.
- Delegate household duties
- Let your partner/friends/family know how you are feeling.
- Trust your instincts! You were made to be this baby’s mom.
- Expect a mix of good days and bad days.
- Do not compare yourself to others or feel guilty.
- Know that this is an adjustment period.
This post was all about postpartum depression causes.