Overcoming Postpartum Depression
The birth of a baby marks one of the happiest and most unforgettable moments in the life of every mother. However, mothers often fall into a very distressing stage after childbirth for no apparent reason. In this article, we will explain postpartum depression and how to overcome it.
It is one of the great paradoxes of life. Once childbirth, which is so often feared and longed for, is over, the mother does not feel happy. Instead, she feels sad and depressed. How can this happen?
Postpartum depression happens more often than we might think. In fact, some specialists argue that it affects 15% of women who go through the postpartum stage. Others, likewise, claim that more than 40% have it. Of course, there is a scientific explanation for it.
Causes of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression can originate from hormonal and emotional causes, as well as the environment that surrounds the new mother. In general, postpartum depression is triggered by various factors that come together.
Sudden changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, among other hormones, can cause emotional changes in sensitive women. In addition, if this is accompanied by a traumatic birth or stressful situations after the birth of the baby, onset of the disorder is more likely.
In these cases, you must remember that, like all changes, the birth of a child causes an array of emotions, responsibilities and concerns that you will get used to in due time.
On the other hand, if the mother has previously suffered from depression or if her social environment is hostile, postpartum depression is more likely to occur.
Apart from those mentioned, there are many other influential factors, such as a poor financial situation, lack of support to cope with this stage, having gone through an unwanted pregnancy, or the possibility that the child suffers from a congenital defect.
Being a mother is not mentioned by what you leave behind when having a baby, but by what you gain from it.
Most common symptoms of postpartum depression
This disorder is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Sadness and a frequent desire to cry
- Irritability and anxiety
- Insomnia, fatigue and lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of enthusiasm for recreational activities
- Worsening social relationships
- Lack of sexual desire
Tips for overcoming postpartum depression
As we mentioned before, postpartum depression is quite common. However, it is not impossible to overcome.
Here are a few recommendations to overcome postpartum depression in the best possible way:
Consult a professional
This is the first thing to do in these situations. A psychotherapist or psychiatrist will know how to recognize your symptoms and needs, and will give you the best options.
Also, if it is a severe depression, it may be necessary to prescribe the correct medications for your treatment. The main function of antidepressants is to balance the chemicals in the brain, which give patients greater emotional stability.
Support
If others do not offer it, ask for support. It will be much easier to have someone take care of you and your baby in this moment of fragility and need. Externalize your feelings. Tell your loved ones how you feel and how it affects you.
Distraction
Like work, raising a baby carries a high demand, especially for a mother suffering from postpartum depression. It is good to take an hour to read, walk, exercise or do any other pastime you enjoy.
Rest
There is nothing better for overcoming stressful situations. Take advantage of every moment you have to dedicate time to rest. Thus, you will renew your energy and allow your body to recover after the enormous wear and tear of childbirth.
Self-esteem
You must feel proud to have brought a new life into the world. Give yourself the respect you deserve, and value yourself. Do not neglect your personal appearance, even if you spend all day at home.
Seeing yourself well will help you regain the spirit you used to have.
Regain balance
Focus on this being a passing state. Like everything, overcoming postpartum depression takes time, but you’ll end up doing it.
Concentrate on trying to accept physical, social and emotional changes. Your physical aspects will be the first to recover. However, sociability and emotional stability can require a lot of strength.
Be patient, because everything will return to normal. Motherhood is a constant learning process.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Evans, M., Vicuña, M., & Marín, R. (2003). Depresión postparto realidad en el sistema público de atención de salud. Revista chilena de obstetricia y ginecología, 68(6), 491-494.
- Hasbún Hernández, J., Risco Neira, L., Jadresic Marinovic, E., Galleguillo U, T., González A, M., & Garay S, J. (1999). Depresión postparto: prevalencia y factores de riesgo. In Rev. chil. obstet. ginecol.
- Medina, E. (2013). Diferencias entre la depresión postparto, la psicosis postparto y la tristeza postparto. Perinatología y Reproductiva Humana.
- Mendoza, C., & Saldivia, S. (2015). Actualización en depresión postparto: el desafío permanente de optimizar su detección y abordaje. Revista médica de Chile, 143(7), 887-894. https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0034-98872015000700010&script=sci_arttext
- Miranda Moreno, M. D., Bonilla García, A. M., & Rodríguez Villar, V. (2015). Depresión Postparto. Trances.