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Overview
Many new moms feel happy one minute
and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so,
you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes
you longer to feel better, you may have postpartum depression.
Postpartum
depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued
and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves
or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum
depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms
develop something even more serious. They may stop eating,
have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women
with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.
Researchers
think that changes in your hormone levels during and after
pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. If you think
you have it, tell your health care provider. Medicine and
talk therapy can help you get well.
Understanding Postpartum
Depression: Common but Treatable
Postpartum depression affects
10-15% of women any time from a month to a year after childbirth.
Women with postpartum depression may feel restless, anxious,
sad or depressed. They may have feelings of guilt, decreased
energy and motivation, and a sense of worthlessness. They
may also have sleep difficulties and undergo unexplained
weight loss or gain. Some mothers may worry about hurting
themselves or their baby. In extremely rare cases—less than 1% of new mothers—women
may develop something called postpartum psychosis. It usually
occurs within the first few weeks after delivery. Symptoms
may include refusing to eat, frantic energy, sleep disturbance,
paranoia and irrational thoughts. Women with postpartum psychosis
usually need to be hospitalized.
Researchers aren’t sure what causes postpartum depression,
but think that the dramatic shifts in hormone levels during
pregnancy and immediately afterward may result in chemical
changes in the brain leading to the condition. Childbirth
is also a major life change that can create ongoing stress
and contribute to depression. The new mom’s responsibility
for the baby, the household and her work duties upon returning
after maternity leave may affect her risk of getting postpartum
depression.
The good news is that, like
diabetes or heart disease, postpartum depression is an
illness that can be successfully treated with medicine
and therapy. Women treated with antidepressant medicines
and talk therapy usually show marked improvement. Depending
on the type of medication they’re using,
they may be able to continue breast feeding.
Researchers are making progress
in understanding how changing hormone levels and other
factors affect the brain after childbirth. They hope to
develop better medications for treating postpartum depression
by targeting the chemical pathways they’re
uncovering.
If you suspect that someone
you know is suffering from postpartum depression, it’s
important to show understanding and support during this
stressful time to help the new mom avoid the stigma, shame
and isolation often associated with postpartum depression.
For more information:
The Center for Postpartum Adjustment
(www.postpartumsupport.com)
Depression
during and After Pregnancy(National Women's Health
Information Center). Also available in Spanish
Postpartum
Depression and the "Baby Blues"(American
Academy of Family Physicians). Also available in Spanish
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