Common signs of postpartum depression
The big day was exciting, and your baby arrived in the world after all those months of waiting with breathless joy. But now, you feel… uncertain, different, sad and unsure of everything. You can’t stop crying, your mood is constantly bleak, and the pregnancy joy seems to have withered away.
What’s going on?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a real issue – and one that you should take seriously. Firstly, it’s important to understand that PPD is normal; many moms go through it and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s not a sign that you’re a bad mother, so always reach out for help because it is treatable.
In the first few weeks of motherhood, it’s normal to experience the “baby blues”. This is characterised by some crying, anxiety, insomnia, or the odd mood swing. This is all normal because you’ve just been through labour and delivery and your hormonal levels are returning to normal and you’re adjusting to a new normal of breastfeeding. At the same time, your body is healing and a crying newborn will keep you up. The baby blues typically last for a few days to two weeks.
When it becomes PPD
It’s been a few weeks and the baby blues are not subsiding, in fact, they’re getting worse. You’re crying all the time, feeling disconnected from your baby and sinking into a depression. Other symptoms include extreme mood swings, sadness, feeling overwhelmed and struggling to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes. Your appetite may have either plummeted or increased drastically, and you feel lost.
Why does it happen?
If you’ve had PPD with your first baby, you are at risk of it repeating itself with the next pregnancy. That said, medical experts don’t have a definitive answer as to what causes postpartum depression. The rapid decrease in hormones has some role to play in PPD. Other possible risk factors include a family history of depression, relationship problems with your partner, pregnancy complications or having a special needs baby.
Help at hand
The first sign that it’s not just the baby blues is depression, stress and anxiety that last for more than a few weeks and start seeping into months, even a year. Before it gets to the point where you’re completely overwhelmed, you must reach out for help. Left unchecked, PPD can lead to suicidal thoughts, disordered eating, feelings of resentment towards your baby, and loss of all impetus for work and life.
Speak with your doctor as soon as you notice worrying symptoms. They may refer you to a therapist or prescribe an anti-anxiety medication. Also consider mom support groups, or reaching out to friends and family for help. This also entails physical support. If you can’t cope with cooking for a while, ask your family to help out with meal preparation. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by scary thoughts, phone your sister, cousin or friend to talk it through. This is not the time to throw yourself into new hobbies or take on new responsibilities. Focus on your feelings and how you can best take the next steps to recovery.
Whatever you do, get help as soon as possible – for your sake and that of your baby.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.