Understanding Postpartum: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
The first year of having a newborn can be filled with joy and so many “first” time moments. Many women have a picture in their mind of how happy and fulfilled they will feel after having their new bundle of joy. However, many women come to realize the hardships of the first year as they experience postpartum depression. Postpartum can be extremely challenging for some women, both physically and emotionally. The postpartum stage can also impact their partners.
Do you find yourself having a hard time connecting with your baby? Do you blissfully watch your newborn and then all of a sudden begin to cry? Do you question if this was the right decision and how you miss your old self? Do you worry about your baby’s health? If so, you might be experiencing postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a complex condition that can affect new mothers after having a child. PPD affects approximately 10-20% of new mothers. It is a common and significant concern. It can happen anytime after giving birth, often starts within 1 – 3 weeks of having your baby.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS
According to Cleveland Clinic, 1 out of 7 women experience postpartum depression, yet not too many women talk about the hardships after giving birth. Every woman is different in how they experience postpartum, but it is important to understand the possible symptoms you might be experiencing. Postpartum can last 6 months, 8 months, or even a year for some women. Postpartum symptoms include:
Having trouble connecting with your baby
Excessive crying spells for no reason
Feeling depressed or experiencing severe mood swings
Feeling guilty, overwhelmed
Feeling lonely, isolating self from loved ones
Not feeling like yourself
Feeling like you are not good enough, or feeling hopeless
Excessively worrying about your child
Feeling irritable and angry
Difficulty concentrating
Having low to no energy
Changes in appetite
Changes in sleep
WHAT MIGHT CAUSE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
There are many different factors that play in the role of risk factors for postpartum depression. It is not one single factor that causes postpartum depression, it can be a combination of factors and it can appear differently for each individual.
Hormone Changes
During pregnancy, hormones in a women’s body increase to support the growth and development of the baby. After giving birth, women’s hormone levels change drastically. Estrogen and Progesterone levels drop, impacting the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, causing mood swings. Cortisol levels are typically high during pregnancy and after childbirth, cortisol levels drop. These abrupt changes in cortisol levels can contribute to mood swings and increase stress. And lastly, prolactin is responsible for stimulating milk production, while oxytocin is responsible for bonding and social interactions. Both hormones have positive impacts on women, but their dysregulation and imbalances have been associated with mood swings.
Prior Mental Health
There is an increase chance of postpartum depression if you already have had symptoms of depression or anxiety in the past. Research also shows that moderate and severe PMS can lead to postpartum depression. Studies also show that women who experience childhood trauma can also increase chances of postpartum depression and impact the mother-infant bonding experience.
Complications at labor and delivery
Risky pregnancy can increase the chances of postpartum depression. Sometimes women have a specific idea of when and how their labor and delivery will look like. Many moms create birth plans that feels right to them but when things don’t go as planned it can cause distress. In the moment, parents to be will do anything to have a healthy baby as well as a healthy mother. However, when the days have settled and things have gone smoothly, it can cause ambivalent feelings that can contribute to postpartum depression.
Life Stressors
Life stressor such as losing a job, death of a loved one, a move, separation from family members, having no support system, difficulties in the relationship with your partner, and having financial difficulties can negatively impact the way you feel and can increase postpartum depression. Other major psychosocial stressors can be the difficult relationship with your own mother or your self-image as a pregnant woman and your new role as a mother.
Social Support
Having social support during the postpartum period is crucial. Women need help taking care of themselves and help with taking care of their newborn and household duties. Women who don’t have support such as family, friends or their partner can increase postpartum depression.
Adjustment to motherhood
Women tend to think of this beautiful transition to motherhood but the actual day to day hardships cause women stress, anxiety and depression. Sleep deprivation can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. As they say, “sleep when baby sleeps” because running on interrupted sleep for days can impact you and your mood. Having difficulties adjusting to motherhood can occur during the first year of motherhood. Unsure how to balance your new role and when or how to bring back parts of your old self can be a stressor on many women.
Lifestyle
It can be difficult to think about you and your nutritional needs when you are on the clock with a newborn. However, it is important to provide your body with nutritional foods and rich in vitamins. Talk to your doctor to explore what your vitamin levels are and if needed take vitamin supplements. You can also look into foods that are rich in certain vitamins that you are lacking and add those into your daily meals. Also, after you have received clearance from your doctor, it is important to engage in physical movement as much as possible. Movement helps regulate your emotions and it helps you feel connected with the world and yourself. If possible, go outside on a stroll with your baby or join a fitness gym, pilates class. Movement increases your mood and self-esteem.
RECOVERY FROM POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Postpartum depression can be intense and can last months, but mothers can heal from postpartum depression. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms and talk to your doctor or a mental health provider to help create a treatment that best fits with you and your lifestyle. Here are some ways to help recover from postpartum depression.
Support Groups or Group Therapy
Support groups or group therapy can give mothers the sense of not feeling alone throughout this process. You create a community that is experiencing similar feelings. No one person is going to feel the same exact way but there is a sense of understanding and empathy.
Listening to other moms express their concerns and ways of coping can give you relief and can also give you insight. These groups create community as well as help you find new ways of coping with certain stressors.
Talk Therapy
Sometimes moms need that one-on-one support to help heal through the trauma, the adjustment to motherhood, or the ambivalent feelings with this new chapter. Some moms have more to process that they need in addition to the support group/group therapy.
As a postpartum therapy in Los Angeles, I help new moms adjust to this new chapter in their lives. I help new moms bring parts of their old self and new self slowly to help create that balance. Together we create realistic expectations and routines. We work through any trauma they have experienced, and explore all the complicated feelings that come with motherhood. We also work on ways to communicate their needs to their partners and loved ones.
Create a Well-Balanced Routine
It’s crucial for moms to create a support network of families and friends to help with childcare, household duties and provide emotional support. Also, it is helpful if partners can learn to be hands on as well. Creating a chore chart for partners or anyone who comes to help will be beneficial because that way the person helping knows what to do. This will allow moms to get some rest and not have to mentally stress about the never-ending to-do list. This also allows moms to engage in self-care activities whether that’s going for a walk with baby or without baby (if someone has offered to watch baby), going to the gym, taking a bath, sitting outside in nature, doing yoga, and engaging in other mindfulness activities.
Listen to a Podcast
With the world moving more towards self-help, podcasts have really become an amazing tool for individuals in general. There are many podcasts for new moms or moms with toddlers learning how to parent. Podcasts can be great when you’re going for that walk or washing the dishes or doing any household tasks. Here are some great podcasts.
I’m That Mom podcast
Newbies: New Moms, New Babies podcast
Mom & Mind podcast
3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms podcast