Postpartum Depression – Signs and Symptoms

Bringing a new soul to world can overwhelm any parent. It is a big responsibility in itself and as much as the joy it brings, it may also invoke some sad feelings.

Most women experience postpartum “baby blues” or feel sad or lonely or emotionally drained, few days after childbirth. These feelings usually last from few days to a week or two. At times, these feelings don’t go away even after a week or two, it is then a mother should look out for postpartum depression symptoms and contact her health care provider to discuss about her physical and emotional condition.

Signs of Baby Blues

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Crying for no reason
• Anxiety and sadness
• Reduced appetite and trouble sleeping
• Mood swings and irritability

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Any kind of depression is looked down upon as we have not been able to normalize mental health. When it comes to a mother, she is afraid to share her sad feelings with anyone due to fear of judgement. And even if she musters courage to share it with someone, she is usually shut down by saying, it is nothing new – all mothers go through this.

But you need to know that Postpartum Depression is real and is faced by hundreds of mothers postpartum.

It is only you who can assess if it is only a temporary feeling or you are engulfed by it. You need to trust yourself and stand up for yourself, even when no one supports you.

Here are some symptoms to gauge your condition for Postpartum Depression:

• Severe mood swings
• Excessive crying for no reason
• Anxiety attacks
• Unable to bond with the baby
• Losing appetite or eating excessively
• Feeling exhausted but unable to sleep
• Feeling alone even when you are surrounded by everyone
• Being clueless and work on auto pilot mode
• Blaming other people around you for everything
• Difficulty in decision making
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Fear of not being a good mother
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Losing interest in the things you use to enjoy
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

It may also impact your physical well-being:

• Various unexplained aches, pains, or illnesses
• Severe headaches
• Bad body posture
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Shivering in hand & legs
• Rise in body temperature

Postpartum Depression signs & symptoms vary from person to person and at times from day to day. It is important to look out for your emotional and physical well being and seek help when you feel something is not right.

When to visit the doctor

Being a new mother, we feel compelled to love our baby irrespective of what we are feeling. I did not connect with my baby at first sight and as far as I know, most mothers don’t. So it is okay if you are in the same boat. We feel ashamed and embarrassed to share these feeling with anyone. But you need to understand when to take action and take control of your emotional and physical health.

Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first but if the signs and symptoms last longer then you need to visit the doctor.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if:

• Baby blues are more intense and are getting worse
• It makes hard to get through everyday
• It makes hard to love and care for the baby
• You have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming your baby or someone else

Causes of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression can be triggered by various emotional and physical stressors.

• Changes in hormones post pregnancy. Levels of estrogen and progesterone are higher than usual during pregnancy but they drops back to previous stage post delivery.
• Irregular thyroid hormone levels
• Sleep deprivation and inadequate diet
• Underlying medical conditions
• Having self-doubt, feeling unattractive, struggling with sense of identity
• Have a history of depression during or before pregnancy
• Had postpartum depression after first pregnancy
• Have a weak support system
• Going through financial problems
• Have issues in your relationship with your partner
• Pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted

Treatments of Postpartum Depression

Treating Postpartum Depression is essential for well-being of mother and newborn. The sooner it is identified, the sooner the recovery is. The treatment is effective in most cases and usually involves:

• Medication
• Therapy
• Self care
• Acupuncture
• Massage

Postpartum Depression in Fathers

Postpartum Depression is not uncommon in new fathers. New fathers may also feel sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or may have unusual eating and sleeping patterns.

Postpartum Depression in father is also known as parental postpartum depression. It is usually observed in men who are:

• Young
• Have a history of depression and anxiety
• Have commitment issues and face problems in relationships
• Struggling financially
• Facing an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
• Having lack of sleep
• Experiencing difficulty in accepting the change in family dynamics

As essential as it is to recognize and seek help for mothers going through Postpartum Depression, it is equally important for fathers to seek medical advise if and when they see signs of depression. If untreated, it may have negative impact on partner relationship and the child.

Tips to avoid Postpartum Depression

If you feel anxious and overwhelmed during pregnancy or feel early baby-blues, you can take some steps to prevent postpartum depression.

• Communicate: Expressing your feelings without being ashamed or guilty helps you release the bottled up feelings and leave you less anxious.

• Ask for Help: Postpartum your body goes through a lot of physical changes too which leaves you physically and emotionally drained. Asking for help takes off the mental and physical load and lets you focus more on yourself and baby.

• Don’t isolate yourself: Newborn responsibilities can leave you overwhelmed and hardly give you time for anything. But it is important to not lose touch with your family and friends as they keep you sane. At the same time, screen the toxic and judgmental people to avoid adding to your stress.

• Be realistic: Be prepared for good as well as bad days. Be realistic about your expectation from yourself and baby.

• Diet and Exercise: Follow a good diet and exercise routine. Consult the doctor before following any exercise or changing diet plan.

• Limit the visitors: Your friends and family must be eager to meet the little one but entertaining too many people after childbirth can leave you exhausted. Also, every person comes with their set of advice and opinion which you may not be interested in.

Reach out to seek help

Facebook Support Groups:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/1414632815534389
• https://www.facebook.com/PostpartumSupportInternational/
• https://www.facebook.com/PerinatalDepressionSupportGroup/

Suicide India Helpline Numbers:

• https://indianhelpline.com/SUICIDE-HELPLINE/

Help a friend or a loved one

Usually, people going through depression or Postpartum Depression may not recognize or accept what they are going through. They may not be aware of signs and symptoms of depression. If you feel that any of your friend or loved one is showing any signs of depression, talk to them and help them seek medical attention immediately.