Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression, is a type of clinical pregnancy and depression occurring after childbirth, that affects as many as 5 to 25% of all women. Postpartum depression can also affect men as well, particularly new fathers, though at a generally lower rate of between 1.2 and 25%. Postpartum depression most often occurs in women after they have carried a child, usually symptoms showing themselves within the first few months after giving birth, and may have a duration of up to several months, or possibly even a full year. Symptoms of postpartum depression
Symptoms that often occur with pregnancy and depression include fatigue, sadness, reduced libido, crying episodes, changes in sleeping and eating habits, irritability and anxiety. Although there are a number of theories regarding the risk factors for postpartum depression, the causes of pregnancy and depression symptoms are not clearly understood. Many if not most women recover through a treatment program that can include support groups and counseling.
A self-reported standardized questionnaire style test can be given to identify women who may be suffering from postpartum depression. One method of detecting Postnatal Depression (PND) is the use of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. If the new mother scores more than 13, she is likely to develop PND.
Postpartum Exhaustion, or PPE, is related to pregnancy and depression as it is often thought to be caused by sleep deprivation along with hormonal changes within a woman's body shortly after delivering. The symptoms can be mild or rather severe. Most often these cases seem to occur in women who have babies with severe colic or other conditions that cause them to have abnormal sleep patterns and schedules. Postpartum exhaustion is not the same as postpartum depression, though it is often classified as a type of pregnancy and depression as it can feature many of the same symptoms. Medical treatment for postpartum exhaustion is minimal and the condition can last for 1 to 20 days and can be corrected with the individual getting enough sleep.
The “baby blues” or pregnancy blues may be similar to postpartum depression, but is a less severe form of pregnancy and depression. Pregnancy blues are a mild and short-lived state of moodiness experienced by as much as 80% of postnatal women. Symptoms of the pregnancy blues can last as little as a few hours to several days, and may manifest in tearfulness, sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, irritability, headache, and feelings of isolation. The pregnancy blues are not the same issue as postpartum depression, and it is not an indicator that if one is experiencing the pregnancy blues, they will be more likely to have postpartum depression.
The symptoms of postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year of delivering, and include:
Low self-esteem
Feelings of hopelessness
Guilt
Sadness
Disturbances of Sleeping and eating patterns
Feeling overwhelmed
Exhaustion
Macedonian (inability to experience pleasure)
Feelings of emptiness
Social Withdrawal
Angry outbursts towards others
Low energy
Becoming frustrated very easily
Feeling inadequate to take care of the baby
Impairment in speech and in writing ability
Increased anxiety or panic attacks
Decrease sex drive (libido)
Risk Factors for Pregnancy and Depression
Though the exact cause of Postpartum depression is not clearly understood, there are number of predisposing factors that have been identified as issues that can predict who may be more vulnerable to postpartum depression:
A past history of depression
Cigarette smoking
Formula feeding as opposed to breast-feeding
Low self-esteem as indicated by questionnaires, such as the Beck inventory
Childcare stress
Prenatal anxiety
Prenatal depression during the pregnancy
Life stresses
Poor marital relationship
Low social support
Already having maternity blues
Being a single parent
Lower socioeconomic status
An unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
Of all these factors related to pregnancy and depression, three of them – formula feeding, a past history of depression, and cigarette smoking – have been shown to be the most prevalent issues leading to postpartum depression.
The causes of postpartum depression is not clearly understood. Theories have been put forth regarding a number of different causes, including a lack of adequate nutrition and vitamins, changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, the profound lifestyle changes that occur with suddenly caring for an infant, pre-existing and previously undiagnosed mental illnesses in the mother – but none of these causes has actually much in the way of supporting evidence, or there is contradictory research information.
The following nutritional information has been shown to be helpful in maintaining a well-balanced diet during and after childbirth to help with issues related to pregnancy and depression:
Protein- 3 oz. Of meat contain approximately 25 grams of protein, 3 oz. Of Swiss cheese have about 15 gm protein, and 3 eggs have approx. 19 gm of protein.
Omega-3 fatty acids – Depletion of omega-3 fatty acids has some support in being a factor of postpartum depression. Omega 3's are needed to support brain development in the fetus or breast-feeding infant. Good sources of Omega-3's are fish, grass fed as opposed to grain fed meat, eggs form chickens given a high omega 3 feed, Omega 3 supplements in capsule form can also be purchased.
B-Vitamins- There has been some limited research showing that the intake of B-vitamins, mainly riboflavin, can reduce the chance of postpartum depression. These need to be replenished each day.
Multi-Vitamins - A daily prenatal/postnatal vitamin supplement should be taken to reduce the chance of postpartum depression. Please seek the advice of your physician for a quality source of a vitamin supplement.
Hydration – Most physicians suggest drinking ten, 8 oz. Glasses of water per day to maintain adequate hydration levels in the body. Mothers are also urged to drink a glass of water, juice, or milk prior to breast-feeding their child.
Treatments for Postpartum Depression First it should be said that women who express that they are suffering the signs of postpartum depression need to be taken seriously when symptoms occur. This can be accomplished by helping the woman to to trust her natural instinct that something is wrong and her symptoms are real. This will help her to trust her intuition enough to share how she is feeling with her significant other, her close friends, or her doctor and receive appropriate treatment.
The treatment options for Postpartum depression include:
Having a full medical evaluation to make sure there is not other underlying physical problems
Evaluate the possibility of using medications
Referral to a postpartum depression support group
Cognitive behavioral therapy to address unhealthy thought patterns
Home visits from Home visitors
Maintaining healthy sleeping patterns
Encouraging a healthy diet
Natural Plant Remedies for PostPartum Depression
There are a number of natural plant remedies for postpartum depression that are definitely effective for those women who prefer natural plant remedies to their pregnancy and depression issues. Treating depression naturally begins with consultations with a clinical social worker or a psychologist. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (known as CBT) can help dispel negative thought patterns and behaviors. Interpersonal therapy can help resolve interpersonal issues that are commonly faced by women. It also helps with transitioning the parental and spousal roles in a more effective way. Mothers who have just given birth need plenty of sleep and rest, something very hard to come by with a newborn baby! In Asia, grandmothers and aunts offer help to new mothers voluntarily. The new mother is taken care of and not allowed to do any type of work for a minimum of 2 months or more. This kind of support is most needed and offers the new mother the rest and company she needs. It also gives her the opportunity to share her anxieties with a person that has some experience to draw from.
Homeopathy, herbs, and changes to the lifestyle create a system of natural plant remedies for depression. Homeopathic remedies, such as Aurum metallicum, Calcarea carbonica, Arsenicum album, Pulsatilla , Natrum muraticum, and Phosphorous are just a few natural plant remedies that are used depending on the type of pregnancy and depression symptoms and general personality the patient exhibits.
Natural Plant Remedies for depression, such as St. John's Wort, are effective in relieving the symptoms of postpartum depression, with St. John's Wort being the most commonly used herb for pregnancy and depression treatment. Just note that natural plant remedies should not be taken along with antidepressants as there is an increased chance of problematic interactions.
Many changes happen in women during pregnancy that can potentially alter her personality. She will need help and support, as well as guidance and simply companionship so that she can get her feelings out and talk about her apprehensions of the future. Familial support can be just as effective as any other type of treatment for postpartum depression. If family is not available, you could ask for help from close friends who don't have young children at home. You might very well be surprised at the eagerness of others to help you in your time of need!