preventing postpartum depression

 

Preventing Postpartum Depression

After having a baby, it's normal for you to feel down or sad. Your body is working hard to deal with the fatigue and stress from delivery. If this feeling persists for more than a few weeks, it could indicate a serious mental illness. It is important to learn how to prevent postpartum depressive symptoms and when to seek help.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression refers to a form of depression that occurs after having a child. This is a very common condition, with approximately 1 in 7 women suffering from postpartum depression.

Many new mothers feel the "baby blues" following childbirth. These feelings include mood swings and crying spells, sadness, anxiety, and even depression. These feelings can appear out of nowhere. Between 50-70% of babies experience baby blues after they have been delivered. The condition typically begins within the first week after delivery, and resolves in two weeks.

Postpartum depression is more severe than the baby blues and can last several months. It affects your brain, behavior, and brain. Postpartum depression can be mild or severe.

  • Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or loneliness
  • You may feel that you aren't loving your baby enough or all the time
  • Alternate highs and lows
  • Resigning from your family and friends
  • Anger, irritability, or tiredness
  • A loss of appetite or an inability to eat as much as usual
  • Inability to take care of your baby or yourself

Your body and hormones undergo many changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Postpartum depression can be caused by many factors, including:

  • Hormonal triggers
  • Tiredness due to labor
  • Stress
  • Doubts regarding parenthood
  • Expectations unrealistic of being a perfect parent

Research shows that postpartum depression is most likely to be caused by high levels of stress in life, lack of support from friends and family, dissatisfaction with partners, past or current abuse, and prenatal depression.

Before giving birth, progesterone and estrogen levels were significantly higher in pregnancy. Many changes occur in the body, including psychological, social, and lifestyle.

Postpartum depression can affect not only the birthing parent, but also non-birthing parents. Non-birthing parents might not experience the physical changes of childbirth and delivery but they do experience the lifestyle changes, stress and emotional reactions that come with having a baby.

How long does postpartum depression last?

It's a rollercoaster ride during pregnancy and after birth. Your body is undergoing massive hormonal changes, and you also have a tiny human living in your home.

The symptoms of postpartum depression may appear between two and twelve months after the birth. The condition usually manifests within three months. However, there are some cases when it takes longer.

Baby blues sufferers tend to heal quickly. However, postpartum depression sufferers take longer. This condition can severely impact your ability to function normally again. Studies show that postpartum depression can last anywhere from three to six months. However, there were still patients in those studies who suffered from the condition after six months. Postpartum depression can be debilitating and last up to six months.

Preventing Postpartum Depression

It is possible to prevent postpartum depression. It is important to be aware of the warning signs and other factors that can increase your chances of developing this condition. This will allow you to take steps to decrease your chance of developing a mental illness. It will also help you understand the available treatment options.

Avoid major life changes around the birth

It is a major life-changing event to have a baby. You should only do one major life change at a time. Avoid making major life changes such as moving, changing jobs or changing your home. You can keep your life as it is and focus on having a stress-free pregnancy. It is difficult enough to bring life into the world and deal with being a parent.

Learn about Postpartum Depression

It is important to learn about postpartum depression during pregnancy and childbirth. It doesn't matter if you are the birthing partner or not, it is a smart idea to learn about postpartum depression. This will help you recognize signs and symptoms of depression after birth, so that you can get the support you need quickly.

Exercise

Research has shown that exercising during pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of developing postpartum depression. Postnatal depression can be prevented by engaging in physical activity. Exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress and release endorphins. Walking around the block in a stroller can be enough to get you moving. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn when you can begin exercising more after having children.

Sleep and Eat Well

You should get adequate sleep and eat healthy food during pregnancy and postpartum. You will probably find it difficult to get enough sleep and time to prepare food after your baby arrives. Be kind to yourself, and do the best you can. Your health and well-being are important aspects of pregnancy.

Support

It is common to feel alone after having a child, especially if it's the first time. Peanut is a platform that connects new moms. You can find other moms in your area and chat online with them. You can ask your healthcare provider to give you a list of local groups you could join.

Social support is an essential part of pregnancy. Research has shown that social support can reduce the chance of suffering from postpartum depression. Ask for help when you are in need and let others know what they can do to help. Stay connected with your family and friends.

Prepare for Childbirth

Prepare for childbirth to be prepared. It is important to be familiar with the possible outcomes in the delivery room. If an emergency occurs, it is possible to reduce the chance of a traumatizing experience during childbirth.

You can also enlist help once your baby is born to prepare you for childbirth. Ask a friend for help and to deliver groceries. Ask for help, whether you are vacuuming or washing clothes.

Postpartum depression treatment depends on the type of symptoms and their severity. Treatment options include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications.
Many women may suffer in silence, dismissing their struggles as a normal part of pregnancy and childbirth and not seeking care. This affects their quality of life; therefore, PPD should not be neglected.

Our UrgentWay healthcare providers are here to provide postpartum depression prognosis and postpartum depression treatment.

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