Coping
With Postpartum Depression
"After giving birth, many women experience a week or two of "baby
blues," marked by mood swings, feelings of ambivalence toward
motherhood, mild
depression, and
bouts of unexplainable crying. These
blues may be a result of hormonal changes; of the way labor, delivery,
and motherhood are treated in today's society; or of the isolation new
mothers often feel. Certainly lack of sleep plays a role, too. In some
women -- as many as 11 to 15 percent of new mothers -- the baby blues
turns into clinical postpartum
depression,
or PPD” – Source: Coping
with Postpartum
Depression, Ronnie
Lichtman, American Baby, 2006.
Women know that their bodies undergo very dramatic changes during
pregnancy. Giving birth doesn’t make those changes disappear, and your
body still needs to adjust from the trauma of having a baby. Hormones
that affect mood and behavior flood the female body during and after
pregnancy. Suddenly having a very demanding newborn to care for can be
a huge change, especially to brand-new moms. The understanding and help
from their partner and family members are very importance.
In some cases, these blues turn into actual clinical postpartum
depression, better
know as PPD.
Warning Signs of
Postpartum Depression
Mothers who may be suffering with PPD will experience some warning
signs. If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from these
symptoms, you should consult with your physician. There are many ways
that modern science and medicine can alleviate the symptoms associated
with PPD. These symptoms include:
Uncontrollable crying
Bouts of crying that begin and end without reason are a common symptom
of postpartum
depression. Crying
because of a sad movie, or even a
long-distance telephone commercial, is a normal reaction. Crying for no
reason whatsoever, however, may be a sign of PPD.
Lack of Interest in
the Baby
Women suffering from PPD find that they lack both energy and interest
in their newborn infant. Many women do not like to admit this side
effect, even to them, for fear it makes them bad mothers. But lack of
interest in the baby is a very common symptom of PPD, and completely
normal. Many mothers experience the exact same thing.
Inability to Rest
No matter how tired, mothers suffering from postpartum
depression have
an increasing inability to rest or sleep. They cannot stay still,
cannot seem to turn off their minds, cannot find comfort in slumber.
This is a common and disturbing side effect of PPD.
Loss of Appetite
Women suffering from postpartum
depression
have very little appetite or
desire for food.
The side effects and symptoms of PPD combine to make coping with
postpartum
depression that much
harder for women who are already
exhausted, malnourished, and fearful of being bad mothers. Remember, if
you are suffering from PPD you are not alone. This is very, very
common. Talk it out with your loved one, family members and relatives.
Coping With
Postpartum Depression
The best way to cope with PPD is to consult with your physician.
Research is still being conducted on the various treatment options for
PPD. However, most doctors prescribe the following treatments:
Self care at home
This is not a necessarily a substitute for medication, but it is very
helpful. One of the ways women can do this is by surrounding themselves
with family members who are extremely supportive. It involves the
creation of a positive atmosphere around the patient. Moreover, PPD
sufferers must also take rest, socialize and not expect too much from
themselves.
Supplements or
Medication
Women are usually asked to take prenatal vitamins and iron, post
delivery. At times, prescription anti-depressants are given like
fluoxetine (Prozac), parxetine (Paxil), amongst others. At times
hormone therapy can also help. An intake of estrogen combined with
anti-depressants can go a long way in curing postpartum
depression.
Therapy
Doctors generally prescribe psychotherapy for mild cases. This has been
widely effective in such cases. Some women are asked to undergo a
therapy called Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). IPT enables women to
make adjustments at a social level. Typically, this option consists of
12 sessions with a therapist that is one-hour long. At times, in
serious cases a doctor might just consider putting the patient in a
hospital, if there is a danger that the baby might be hurt in any way.
Follow-Up
PPD is serious and women suffering from PPD must consult a doctor
before following any treatment plan. Furthermore, if the doctor
prescribes a medication or any therapy, it must be followed up with due
diligence. The medications must not be stopped, unless your doctor
tells you to do so.
To conclude, PPD is an ailment that might just go away by itself, but
it is best to contact your doctor immediately if you think you are
suffering from it. The understanding and help
from your partner and family members are very importance.
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