Postpartum Depression: You Are Not Alone
Having a baby is one of the most emotional experiences of human life. Joy. Excitement. Love. Happiness. Strong feelings of connectedness. But what if those aren’t the emotions you experience as a new mother? What if you experience anxiety, sadness, detachment, and hopelessness? These negative emotions following childbirth can be indicative of baby blues or postpartum depression. Despite many new mothers experiencing this phenomenon, postpartum depression is a taboo topic that makes mothers feel ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty. So, let's break down this wall and discuss postpartum depression: why it occurs, what it is, and treatment options.
What is happening in our bodies throughout pregnancy and childbirth and why do we feel negative emotions postpartum? During pregnancy our bodies produce astonishing amounts of progesterone and estrogen which help create the neurotransmitters responsible for feeling happy and calm. These neurotransmitters are the reason many women feel amazing throughout their pregnancy. Immediately following childbirth, both progesterone and estrogen levels dramatically drop being replaced by an oxytocin surge. Oxytocin is the hormone that creates the motherly instinct and the strong feelings of connectedness to the newborn child. However, within a few days postpartum, oxytocin levels begin diminishing which creates room for negative emotions to emerge. At this time, mothers may experience a phenomenon called “baby blues” which entails mild to severe mood swings, sadness, irritability, anxiety, crying, and problems with appetite and sleep. Luckily, baby blues goes away on its own within a few days or weeks as the mother’s hormones rebalance — not requiring treatment. However, in some cases these emotions and symptoms do not go away and may be an indication of something more serious, like postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression may be initially mistaken for baby blues, but differs in severity and longevity. Postpartum depression is a form of depression arising within the first year of childbirth, typically within the first month, lasting weeks or even months. The symptoms of postpartum depression are much more intense than baby blues and often interfere with the mother’s ability to complete day-to-day tasks or care for their baby.
Mother’s with postpartum depression may experience:
- severe mood swings
- depressed mood
- hopelessness
- emotional detachment from the baby and/or trouble bonding with the baby
- irritability and anger
- severe anxiety and/or panic attacks
- extreme loss of, or increase in, sleep and/or appetite
- trouble thinking and concentrating
- extreme fatigue
- anhedonia — loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy
- suicidal ideation or intent*
* Seek help immediately for thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or your baby. Call 911, a health care or mental health professional, or a suicide hotline (Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 833-456-4566)
Postpartum depression symptoms — such as detachment from and trouble bonding with the baby — often creates a strong fear of being a bad mother. A general social stigma exists around mental health and motherhood that makes moms feel shameful, guilty, and embarrassed to be experiencing postpartum depression. New mothers are placed under severe scrutiny and high expectations to be the perfect mother at all times. This stigma causes new mothers to keep quiet and suffer in silence, to avoid judgment from others. However, ignoring the issue and leaving postpartum depression untreated can disrupt infant-mother attachment and has long-term implications on the child’s development. It is important to realize that postpartum depression and problems with motherhood are normal and common. About 80% of new mothers experience baby blues and 23% of mothers experience postpartum depression. New mothers should be easy on themselves, seek help, and do not let the stigma of postpartum depression make them feel like they are failing as a mother.
Treatment of Postpartum Depression
If your postpartum depression symptoms:
- persist for over 2 weeks
- are getting worse
- interfere with your ability to care for your baby or complete your daily tasks
You should seek professional medical help.
Postpartum depression is treated similar to depression at any other stage of a woman’s life. Treatment options for postpartum depression include: therapy and supportive counseling, antidepressants, and increasing your social support from your partner, friends, and family.
If you are struggling with any negative emotions during pregnancy or postpartum do not hesitate to call or contact us. One of our trained therapists can help you work through these feelings so you can enjoy motherhood and this time in your life.
