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Studies show that having a family history of postpartum depression, especially if it was severe, increases the risk of experiencing PPD.
After your baby is born, your doctor may recommend an early postpartum checkup to screen for PPD symptoms. The earlier it's found, the earlier treatment can begin.
This way, you can notice symptoms right away and jump right into treatment before the symptoms begin to negatively impact your life.
The exact cause isn’t clear, but some factors may contribute to postpartum depression.
The baby blues typically manifests as sudden crying, and will usually clear up on its own. PPD, on the other hand, needs to be treated.
During pregnancy, your healthcare provider can monitor you closely for symptoms of depression.
If left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems.
Undergoing stressful experiences during pregnancy can significantly impact the chances of developing PPD. These include recent divorce, the death of a loved one, and financial issues.
A medical professional will be able to assess your symptoms and medical history to reach a diagnosis.
Getting a solid night's sleep is practically impossible with a newborn. That’s why shut-eye is the first thing doctors focus on for treating PPD.
PPD can have a ripple effect, causing emotional strain for everyone close to a new baby.
Untreated PPD can last for months or longer. Mothers may have problems bonding with and caring for their infants. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman's risk of future episodes of depression.
Children of mothers who have untreated PPD are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, as well as delays in language development.
Postpartum depression is totally normal, and it’s not a reflection of you or your abilities as a mom. Remember that seeking help isn't a sign of weakness.
Talking about postpartum depression normalizes the stigma. It shows that maternal mental illnesses are common and manageable.
Sources: (Healthline) (Self) (Cleveland Clinic)
See also: What was it like to be a mother in medieval times?
People with depression may not recognize or admit that they're depressed. If you suspect that a friend or loved one has postpartum depression or is developing postpartum psychosis, help them seek medical attention immediately.
While you’re pregnant, your levels of estrogen and progesterone are higher than usual. Within hours of giving birth, hormone levels drop back to their previous state. This abrupt change can result in PPD.
Many women suffering from postpartum depression may assume that everyone else is going through motherhood like a breeze. But the reality is that many women are actually hiding their struggles.
In the most severe cases of postpartum mood disorders, women can experience postpartum psychosis. Affecting one to two women in every 1,000, it's rare but very dangerous.
If you have a history of depression, tell your healthcare provider if you're planning on becoming pregnant or as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Experienced by 50-85% of mothers, the baby blues are very common, and typically start within the first six weeks postpartum.
Symptoms can start to show within a few weeks of childbirth, but sometimes it can take up to a year. Most commonly, it shows up within three months of delivery.
PPD encompasses different mental health disorders, such as: depression, anxiety with or without depression, panic attacks, and OCD.
The partners of birthing parents can also develop a type of PPD called paternal postnatal depression. Estimates show that around 10% of first-time fathers have feelings of depression in the first year postpartum.
Contrary to popular belief, PPD can also affect adoptive parents and surrogates.
Many feel sad, empty, moody, or fatigued, which can last for weeks after you give birth. Its symptoms can be severe and interfere with your ability to function.
If you have symptoms of PPD, you should contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible to start treatment. This could include medication, therapy, and/or support groups.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that occurs following the birth of a baby. Individuals with PPD experience emotional highs and lows, which shouldn't be taken lightly.
If you've suffered with PPD with one child, setting up a postpartum plan for your second pregnancy can be helpful.
For many women, having a baby is one of the greatest joys of their lives. And in theory, it's a time when they're rejoicing in happiness. But in reality, one in seven women suffers from postpartum depression. This is when the new-mom bliss is overshadowed by a tough mental-health struggle. A relatively common but serious medical condition, many women may be too afraid or ashamed to admit that they're suffering.
So to combat the stigma of postpartum depression, let's discover more about the condition that affects so many new moms. Click on for more.
Everything you need to know about postpartum depression
For many women, the weeks or months after having a baby can be filled with sadness, anxiety, and despair
HEALTH Motherhood
For many women, having a baby is one of the greatest joys of their lives. And in theory, it's a time when they're rejoicing in happiness. But in reality, one in seven women suffers from postpartum depression. This is when the new-mom bliss is overshadowed by a tough mental-health struggle. A relatively common but serious medical condition, many women may be too afraid or ashamed to admit that they're suffering.
So to combat the stigma of postpartum depression, let's discover more about the condition that affects so many new moms. Click on for more.