POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) is a composite response to the physical, emotional and behavioral changes that women experience during pregnancy. Our modern healthcare podcast on postpartum depression addresses the symptoms and elaborates on the possible causes for your feelings.

For some mothers, their childbirth experience is unbearable. Their indelible experiences are often followed by anxiety, fear, depression and sadness. During pregnancy, a woman produces greater amounts of estrogen and progesterone. After 24-hours of childbirth, these hormones drop down rapidly to the non-pregnancy level and trigger period-stage symptoms. Another possible cause of these symptoms is low thyroid levels, which results in depression, frequent mood changes, or even results in sleep or concentration problems.

Is postpartum depression different than baby blues? Yes, they both are different. Dr. Doyle in her latest postpartum depression podcast shared useful insights on the symptoms and most effective treatments. Baby Blue is a short term dip in mood caused by the changes during pregnancy & childbirth. Almost 80% of new mother’s experience Baby Blue for a short period of time. However, postpartum depression is more adverse than baby blue and the feeling of depression lasts longer than expected. It is a real- clinic form of depression and mustn’t be ignored.

During Baby Blues, the mother’s mood swings change quickly from happy to sad. Though they feel short-tempered, exhausted, and anxious, these symptoms go away after a few weeks. During postpartum depression, one feels hopeless, worthless, and lonely. A mother doesn’t feel encouraged and bonded with the baby. A woman continuously feels overwhelming despair and has a higher chance of anxiety & panic attacks.

Some common reasons for postpartum depression are:

• Mother’s personal history of depression or mental illness.

• Chronical illness & stressful life.

• Negative feeling or anxiety about pregnancy.

• Lack of family, friends and partner support.

The risk of postpartum depression is also higher with multiple birth, preterm birth and stressful transitions.

Importance of Emotional Support for Battling Postpartum Depression

Pregnancy is a delicate time in women’s life, where many healthcare professionals recommend screening for depression on a monthly basis. The social and emotional support in the quest of motherhood can lower stress levels and blood pressure. It can also encourage the mother to make healthy choices for her and her baby. Some effective ways to support your loved one during pregnancy are:

(a) Don’t expect her to be the same. Throughout the pregnancy, women undergo hormonal changes and she might experience mood swings & feel out of control. Hence, it is best to avoid bewildering criticism. Try to spend lots of time with her. At the moment, she’s not feeling the same and she just can’t help it.

(b) Ask About How She Feels. As a couple, there’s a lot you can do to battle postpartum depression. One can attend prenatal classes, read books and spend time together. Please do ask her about her feelings, fears, and concerns and listen to the answer. Let her talk to you and if concerns might seem inappropriate, do consult your doctor.

(c) Pamper Her As Much As Possible. The pregnancy demands a lot of the mother’s body and can make her annoyed and sore. A little bit of pampering is nice. You can make her a romantic dinner, draw her bath with essential oil, offer a foot or head massage, or maybe take her to shopping.

Hope all these points will make mothers-to-be feel loved and supported. To learn more about postpartum depression, visit our modern healthcare podcast – GetHealthy360.com.