Postpartum Depression

We feel a multitude of emotions when we give birth to our children. Happiness, excitement, anxiety, fear and many more. Perhaps the one emotion we least expect to experience is the one that many women most often feel, depression. For many women, this may be short term, often referred to as "baby blues." For other women, it is a more long term experience, labeled postpartum depression. In rare cases, women develop a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. 

• Baby Blues

While "baby blues" are the least severe form of postpartum depression, it is important not to ignore these feelings and discuss them with a counselor or your physician.

1. How often do Baby Blues occur?
Approximately 70-80% of all new mothers experience some negative feelings or mood swings after the birth of their baby.

2. When do Baby Blues happen?
Typically the symptoms of Baby Blues will hit 4-5 days after the birth of your child. Depending on how labor went, you could begin to notice it earlier.

3. What causes Baby Blues?
While the exact cause for Baby Blues is unknown, it is thought to be related to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after birth. The hormone changes can produce a chemical change in the brain that causes depression. 

4. How long do Baby Blues last?
The symptoms on a day to day basis can occur for a few minutes to a few hours every day. Within 14 days after they begin, they should begin to decrease and go away all together.

5. Symptoms of Baby Blues

• Weepiness or crying for no apparent reason
• Impatience
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Anxiety 
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sadness
• Mood changes
• Poor concentration

6. How can you take care of yourself during this time?

• Talk with someone about how you feel.
• Maintain a well balanced diet.
• Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings.
• Ask for help doing things. Meals, other children, nightly routines, etc.
• Don't expect perfection in the first few weeks. Healing and routines take time.

7. What to do if it lasts longer than 14 days.

Be honest with your physician because if it lasts longer than 14 days, it could be something more serious such as postpartum depression. 

8. Next steps.

• Find a counselor in your area.
• Hire a postpartum Doula.
• Have a meal calendar set up for your family.
• Post a list with things people can do to help you out.

• Postpartum Depression

Many women feel like PPD is a flaw or weakness. It isn't. It is simply an after effect of what your body has been through in pregnancy and after birth.

1. Symptoms

Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swings
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.

2. Causes

There's no single cause of postpartum depression. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.

• Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute to postpartum depression. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed. Changes in your blood volume, blood pressure, immune system and metabolism can contribute to fatigue and mood swings.
• Emotional factors. When you're sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive or struggle with your sense of identity. You may feel that you've lost control over your life. Any of these factors can contribute to postpartum depression.
• Lifestyle influences. Many lifestyle factors can lead to postpartum depression, including a demanding baby or older siblings, difficulty breast-feeding, financial problems, and lack of support from your partner or other loved ones.

3. Risk Factors

Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. The risk increases if:

• You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times
• You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
• You've experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss
• You're having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other
• You have a weak support system
• You have financial problems
• The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted

4. Complications

Left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems. Children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, temper tantrums, and hyperactivity. Delays in language development are more common as well.

Untreated postpartum depression can last for months or longer, sometimes becoming a chronic depressive disorder. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman's risk of future episodes of major depression.

5. Preparing for your appointment.

If you have signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, call your doctor. Don't let shame or anxiety stop you. Postpartum depression is common, and your doctor knows it's not your fault. To protect your health and the health of your baby, the condition needs to be treated as soon as possible.

After your first appointment, your doctor may refer you to a mental health provider who can create the right treatment plan for you.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.

• What you can do.

Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing and for how long.
Write down all of your medical issues, including other physical or mental health conditions with which you've been diagnosed. Tell your doctor if you've been diagnosed with any type of depression or other mental health disorder in the past.

Make a list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements.

Find a trusted family member or friend to join you for your appointment to help you remember all of the information discussed.

Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask a doctor who sees you for possible postpartum depression include:

• What is my diagnosis?
• What treatments are likely to help in my case?
• What are the possible side effects of the treatments you're proposing?
• How much and how soon do you expect my symptoms to improve with treatment?
• Is the medication you're prescribing safe to take while breast-feeding?
• How long will I need to be treated?
• What lifestyle changes can help me manage my symptoms?
• How often should I be seen for follow-up visits?
• Am I at increased risk of other mental health problems?
• Am I at risk of this condition recurring if I have another baby?
• Is there any way to prevent a recurrence if I have another baby?
• Are there any printed materials that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask for more information at any time if you don't understand something.

• What to expect from your physician.

A doctor or mental health provider who sees you for possible postpartum depression may ask:

• What are your symptoms, and when did they first start?
• Have your symptoms been getting better or worse over time?
• Are your symptoms affecting your ability to care for your baby?
• Do you feel as bonded to your baby as you expected?
• Are you able to sleep when you have the chance and get out of bed when it's time to wake up?
• How would you describe your energy level?
• Has your appetite changed?
• How often would you say you feel anxious, irritable or angry?
• Have you had any thoughts of harming yourself or your baby?
• How much support do you have in caring for your baby?
• How much stress are you otherwise under, such as financial or relationship problems?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions, including mental illnesses such as depression or bipolar disorder?
• Have you been treated for other psychiatric symptoms or mental illness in the past? If so, what type of therapy helped the most?

6. Treatment

Postpartum depression is often treated with counseling and medication.

• Counseling. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. Through counseling, you can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems and set realistic goals. Sometimes family or relationship therapy also helps.
• Antidepressants. Antidepressants are a proven treatment for postpartum depression. If you're breast-feeding, it's important to know that any medication you take will enter your breast milk. However, some antidepressants can be used during breast-feeding with little risk of side effects for your baby. Work with your doctor to weigh the potential risks and benefits of specific antidepressants.
• Hormone therapy. Estrogen replacement may help counteract the rapid drop in estrogen that accompanies childbirth, which may ease the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression in some women. Research on the effectiveness of hormone therapy for postpartum depression is limited, however. As with antidepressants, weigh the potential risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor.

With appropriate treatment, postpartum depression usually goes away within a few months. In some cases, postpartum depression lasts much longer. It's important to continue treatment after you begin to feel better. Stopping treatment too early may lead to a relapse.

Postpartum depression isn't generally a condition that you can treat on your own — but you can do some things for yourself that build on your treatment plan and help speed recovery.

• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity, such as a walk with your baby, in your daily routine. Eat healthy foods, and avoid alcohol.
• Set realistic expectations. Don't pressure yourself to do everything. Scale back your expectations for the perfect household. Do what you can and leave the rest. Ask for help when you need it.
• Make time for yourself. If you feel like the world is coming down around you, take some time for yourself. Get dressed, leave the house, and visit a friend or run an errand. Or schedule some time alone with your partner.
• Respond positively. When faced with a negative situation, focus on keeping your thoughts positive. Even if an unwanted situation doesn't change, you can change the way you think and behave in response to it — a brief course of cognitive behavioral therapy may help you learn how to do this.
• Avoid isolation. Talk with your partner, family and friends about how you're feeling. Ask other mothers about their experiences. Ask your doctor about local support groups for new moms or women who have postpartum depression.

Remember, the best way to take care of your baby is to take care of yourself.

7. Coping and Support

Postpartum depression can have a ripple effect, causing emotional strain for everyone close to a new baby. When a new mother is depressed, the risk of depression in the baby's father may also increase. And new dads are already at increased risk of depression, whether or not their partner is affected.

The already stressful, exhausting period following a baby's birth is much more difficult when depression occurs. You may start to resent a partner struggling with depression, especially when you're overworked and under-rested yourself. But remember: Depression is never anyone's fault, and it can't be fixed with a stiff upper lip or a positive attitude. Depression is a medical illness that needs treatment.

If you're having trouble coping with postpartum depression in your family, talk with a therapist. Depression is a treatable condition. The sooner you get help, the sooner you'll be fully equipped to help your partner and enjoy your new baby.

• Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery

1. Symptoms

• Confusion and disorientation
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia
• Attempts to harm yourself or your baby

2. Treatment

Postpartum psychosis requires immediate treatment, often in the hospital.

When your safety is assured, a combination of medications — such as antidepressants, anti-psychotic medications and mood stabilizers — may be used to control your signs and symptoms. Sometimes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended as well.

During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of depression, especially when other treatments have failed or when you need immediate results.

Treatment for postpartum psychosis can challenge a mother's ability to breast-feed. Separation from the baby makes breast-feeding difficult, and some medications used to treat postpartum psychosis aren't recommended for women who are breast-feeding. If you're experiencing postpartum psychosis, a team of health care providers will help you work through these challenges.

If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But it's important to call your doctor if the signs and symptoms of depression have any of these features:

• Don't fade after two weeks
• Are getting worse
• Make it hard for you to care for your baby
• Make it hard to complete everyday tasks
• Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

If you suspect that you're developing postpartum psychosis, seek medical attention immediately. Don't wait and hope for improvement. Postpartum psychosis may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviors.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, American Pregnancy Association

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