When family members hear of the arrival of a baby, And it will grow a nice little individual with mixed feelings of love, joy and enthusiasm, This may be the happiest news in parents’ lives, but what you don’t know, my dear, is that despite this, most new mothers find themselves in a state of severe depression, They usually include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
You will find in this article
Many mothers feel ashamed or guilty about what they are feeling, which is known as “postpartum depression.” You may think that you are only allowed to have the overwhelming feelings of happiness and gratitude, and that your feeling of sadness means that you are a bad mother, But this is not true! what you have is a medically recognized problem, Symptoms usually begin within the first two to three days after delivery and may last up to two weeks.
Many new moms have feelings of guilt, shame, emptiness, anxiety and panic attacks. Those negative feelings resulting from the sudden feeling of exhaustion and the changes in lifestyle that occurred after the arrival of the child, fatigue from new responsibilities, Add to this the dissatisfaction with the shape of the body after pregnancy.
The question remains here. Since it is common and many mothers suffer from it, So why is it not being discussed more broadly?
What you need most as a mother in such situations is support.
Unfortunately, Many women suffer from feelings of guilt, so they choose to suffer in silence, but it is not the solution, you need to get the necessary treatment, support from family and friends, In some cases, Medicines to deal with this problem.
And to begin with, What are the symptoms associated with postpartum depression?
The symptoms differ from one woman to another and can range from mild to severe depending on the case. For example: Temporary depression “Baby Blue”: Symptoms of temporary depression that last from a few days to a week or two after the birth of your child include the following:
- anxiety
- sadness
- feeling exhausted
- crying
- Distraction and decreased concentration
- Appetite problems
- sleep problems
As for
Postpartum depression:
It may be confused with temporary depression but here the symptoms are more severe and last longer.
These symptoms may interfere with your ability to care for your baby and perform other daily tasks. It usually appears within the first few weeks after birth. But it also may start early – during pregnancy – or later – up to a year after giving birth.
Its symptoms include:
- Sharp mood swings.
- Detachment from family and friends.
- Loss of appetite or eating more than usual.
- insomnia and your inability to sleep, or sleeping for long periods.
- Extreme fatigue and loss of energy.
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- anger.
- Your feelings of shame and inadequacy.
- Decreased ability to think clearly, make decisions, and lose focus.
- And the symptoms may reach beyond that, such as repeated thoughts of death and suicide, or even thoughts that lead you to harm yourself or your child.
Postpartum psychosis:
Postpartum psychosis (a rare condition that usually occurs in the first week after childbirth)
Symptoms are severe. They include:
- Feeling confused and lost.
- Obsession with your child.
- Hallucinations and delusions.
- sleep problems.
- feeling unwell.
- Attempts to harm yourself or your baby.
Postpartum psychosis may lead to thoughts or behaviors that threaten your life and the lives of those around you and therefore requires immediate treatment.
The important question here is what are the causes of all these psychological fluctuations after childbirth or even during pregnancy?
There is no single specific cause for postpartum depression, But genetic factors, physical changes, emotional problems, and the environment around you may play a role in its occurrence or exacerbation of its symptoms.
Certain factors increase your risk of postpartum depression, including:
- Having a personal or family history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
- Getting moral support is not enough.
- marriage problems.
- Pregnancy complications such as health problems, difficulty in childbirth, or premature delivery.
- If you got pregnant at an early age, if you are under 20 years old.
- Having a child with special needs.
- A significant decrease in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body contributes to postpartum depression. Other hormones produced by the thyroid gland may also drop sharply which can make you feel tired, sluggish and depressed.
Estrogen and progesterone levels increase tenfold during pregnancy but drop sharply after delivery.
In addition to these chemical changes, social and psychological changes increase your risk of postpartum depression. Examples of these changes include a change in the way your body looks, an inability to get enough sleep, anxiety about motherhood, or changes in your relationships with those around you.
And to protect yourself as much as possible, we will tell you how to avoid postpartum depression:
In practice, postpartum depression cannot be completely prevented. But it may help to know the symptoms and factors that increase your risk.
Here are some tips to help yourself:
- Be realistic about your expectations for yourself, your baby, and your new life.
- Limit the number of visitors once you get home from the hospital.
- Ask for help tell others how you can help and what you need.
- Get enough sleep and rest when your baby sleeps.
- Work out and get out of the house to take a break.
- Stay in touch with your family, friends and loved ones. Don’t isolate yourself.
- Strengthen your relationship with your partner and communicate with him more.
It’s okay to feel a little tired, motherhood is full of ups and downs, and giving birth is not easy. If you’re suffering from depression, you don’t have to struggle alone and your healthcare provider can help find the right treatment for you.
If you have started to feel any of the symptoms mentioned above, these instructions are for you:
- Find someone to talk to, a therapist, friend, family member, or someone who will listen, He understands and helps you.
- Try to eat healthy food and make time for exercise.
- Don’t forget to prioritize your comfort and health.
- keep in touch with your loved ones, Go out with your friends or talk to them on the phone.
- Find time to do the things you enjoy, Like reading or any other hobbies.
- Talk to yourself and your child in a positive way.
This is in the event that you are able to overcome and overcome negative feelings, but
When should you visit the doctor?
If you feel depressed after your baby is born, You may become hesitant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you are experiencing any symptoms, tell your obstetrician or gynecologist and make an appointment for treatment. If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, Seek help immediately as soon as possible.
Also if your symptoms:
- It does not fade after two weeks.
- getting worse.
- Make caring for your child difficult.
- It prevents you from completing your daily tasks.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Postpartum depression is a common mood disorder that affects 1 in 7 mothers after giving birth. it’s not your fault, It is not a sin or a crime and a judgment does not make you a mother or a bad person, The factors causing postpartum depression are beyond your control. Talk to your doctor, who knows the best way to manage and treat your symptoms.
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