A while ago, I read a book, “The Couple Next Door” by Shari Lapena. It was an interesting book, and I still remember the book really well because that was the first time I ever read anything on postpartum depression. The initial contact with the concept nudged me into further research and a better understanding of what exactly it is.
What is postpartum depression?
According to webmd.com, postpartum depression(PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that happen in a woman after giving birth. Postpartum depression is a form of major depression that has onset within four weeks after delivery. It is in fact, very common. WHO has it that 20% of mothers in developing countries experience depression after childbirth.
This, of course, is different from ‘baby blues’ which most new mothers experience. Baby blues manifests in the form of mood swings, tiredness, crying, anxiety and insomnia. It usually starts a few days after delivery and lasts for about two weeks. PPD is more severe and stays for a longer time. However, it is a condition that can be treated with proper care.
Are there specific causes of PPD?
During pregnancy and the days following delivery, a lot of changes takes place in the woman’s body, ranging from drop in levels of certain hormones, to other physical changes. These changes can contribute to the development of postpartum depression. There is no singular cause of this, it is usually a combination of factors. Lack of sleep, hormonal changes, financial problems, etc. can play a role in causing PPD.
Risk factors: what makes one susceptible to PPD?
PPD is not peculiar to new mothers, neither is it as a result of a character flaw. These factors predisposes individuals to developing PPD after child delivery.
- Financial problems.
- Lack of/ inadequate support system.
- Death/ separation from partner.
- Age: younger mothers tend to experience this.
- Previous history of depression.
- Social isolation
Symptoms of PPD.
Symptoms of PPD is relative, and different people may experience a variety of symptoms like:
- Constant feelings of anxiety, anger, irritation.
- Exhaustion.
- Getting too much sleep or no sleep at all.
- Aversion towards your partner or child.
- Lactation problems.
- Feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control.
- Hopelessness.
- Thoughts about self harm or suicide.
- Thoughts of harming the baby.
These are just a few of the symptoms of PPT as different individuals have different experiences with PPD, but these are some of the more common ones.
In a society like ours, where motherhood is highly revered and mental illness is greatly stigmatised, mental well being of a new mother is not prioritised. Childbirth comes with lots of changes which can take some time to adjust to, and If not properly managed, can be a trigger for PPD.
I read the story about a lady who wasn’t aware that she could feel something other than pure, unadulterated joy at having a child brought into the world. She felt unfulfilled, and had lots of suicidal thoughts. The knowledge that there was a dissonance between what she was feeling and what she was expected or supposed to feel, made her more distraught. It is imperative to know that PPD doesn’t mean you are inherently evil,or that there is something wrong with you. It is something that happens and it can be fixed given time and the right care.
Men are not left out here as paternal PPD is experienced by some fathers. It also follows that they may experience anxiety over the birth of a baby, and anxiety for the changes to come. They should also take same steps as well as the mother to ensure that they feel better in order to have a united front in raising their kids.
The first thing that should be done is to recognise that there is a problem, and to talk to the people who care. Say, your partner, or your support system. Talk to them about the thoughts that you have been having, ask them for help, and accept when they offer to help. Let them take some load off of your back.
Health professionals should be reoriented on how to properly assess nursing mothers. Mental and emotional well being should be taken into consideration, pouring all energy into only physical examination may be counterproductive if the mind isn’t doing too well.
Treatment
PPD can be treated, with professional help. It should be taken seriously, as it can worsen over time, if not properly treated.
Medication: It is important for individuals with PPD to talk to their doctors about their symptoms, the doctor can go ahead to prescribe anti-depressants that are safe to use during lactation, or in other circumstances. Anti-depressants act directly on the brain, and can help alleviate feelings of depression.
Counselling: Seeking professional help from psychologist and psychiatrists helps in treating PPD. It is sad that there is a shortage of professional psychologists in local hospitals and health centres as these are the places that these women frequently visit after delivery, having someone they could talk to would have been very effective.
MANI, however, is easy to reach and there are professional counsellors ready to provide help. So, if you have PPD, or you know anyone that does, MANI is always here for you- a lot of good things happen when you talk, when you communicate.
If you are not a health professional or a counsellor, there are plenty you can do. At every opportunity you get, try to debunk the wrong mindset about mental illness, so as to encourage people to be more vocal about their issues. Many people with PPD do not speak up because they think their feelings are ‘unnatural’ or ‘evil’ or ‘crazy’. Hiding problems only achieves one thing- further complications.
For everyone that is not experiencing PPD, try to be an active listener, you would be amazed by how much people have to say when they have someone to listen to them.
Remember, that postpartum depression is not as a result of being evil, and It is also never the mother or father’s fault. Or even the child’s fault.Postpartum depression is a serious condition, but it can be treated. Changes happen in the body, but it can be treated with the correct care.
-Cynthia
Thank you for creating a page as this. I lived with PPD for 8months after delivery of my first child before I sought for medical help. PPD is real and the longer its left untreated the more serious it becomes. Nobody understands what you are going through, they’d rather stigmatize you because no physical symptoms as such. My symptoms included fear of death, lack of appetite, insomnia, lack of concentration and lack of interest in things that interested me before. Thank God I got help eventually, just I don’t know why it won’t go entirely because I am still on medication since 2016. I have been having symptoms lately because I had another baby 10 weeks back. I would like to suggest that PPD should be considered and talked about in antenatal classes especially in Nigeria