Postpartum Depression – Centre for Family Health Initiative

MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON UNDERSTANDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: EARLY SIGNS AND INTERVENTION

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex, multifaceted condition that affects many new mothers worldwide.¹ It goes beyond the “baby blues,” a common experience characterized by mood swings, crying spells, and anxiety shortly after childbirth, typically resolving within two weeks. PPD, however, is more severe and enduring, requiring timely recognition and intervention to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the child. Understanding the symptoms and early signs of postpartum depression is crucial for effective intervention and support.

Early Signs of Postpartum Depression

Recognizing the early signs of PPD is the first step toward seeking help. These symptoms can appear anytime within the first year after childbirth, often peaking within the first three months. Key indicators include:

Persistent Sadness or Low Mood: Unlike the transient sadness of baby blues, PPD is marked by a prolonged feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness.
Loss of Interest or Pleasure: New mothers with PPD often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, including bonding with their baby.
Changes in Appetite and Weight: Significant weight loss or gain and changes in appetite can be symptoms of PPD.
Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or excessive sleeping, especially when not related to the baby’s needs, can indicate PPD.
Fatigue and Loss of Energy: A pervasive lack of energy and chronic fatigue, beyond the typical exhaustion of new motherhood, are common signs.
Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Intense feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or inadequacy about being a good mother are prevalent in PPD.
Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things can signal depression.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Excessive worry about the baby’s health or one’s ability to care for the baby, sometimes escalating into panic attacks, is another symptom.
Thoughts of Self-Harm or Harm to the Baby: In severe cases, mothers may have thoughts of harming themselves or their baby, indicating the need for urgent intervention.

Intervention and Support

Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes for mothers experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). Seeking professional help, including therapy to address negative thought patterns and improve interpersonal relationships, is advisable. In moderate to severe cases, antidepressants may be prescribed, and it is essential to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider, particularly regarding breastfeeding. Additionally, it is important for mothers to get adequate rest, eat nutritious meals, engage in physical activity, and take time for relaxation. Involving family members in the care process can provide valuable emotional and practical support. Joining a support group can also help reduce feelings of isolation.

Postpartum depression is a serious condition that requires attention and care. By understanding the early signs and knowing when and how to seek intervention, mothers and their families can ensure better mental health outcomes. Early recognition and intervention are key to overcoming postpartum depression, fostering a healthier, happier postpartum experience.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10400812/

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender, Gender Based Violence, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Postpartum Depression, Speak Wednesday, Teenage Pregnancy, WHO, Women, Women Education, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Effects of Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a woman 19 years of age or younger. A woman can get pregnant if she has vaginal sex with a man at any age after she’s begun having regular monthly periods.

Teenage pregnancies are a global problem that occurs in high, middle, and low income countries. However, there is a higher prevalence in marginalized communities, commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and employment opportunities. According to World Health Organisation (W.H.O), approximately 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and 2.5 million girls under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions and the leading cause of mortality for this age group is complication during pregnancy and childbirth. Many girls face considerable pressure to marry early and become mothers at a tender age. Teenage pregnancy increases when girls are denied the right to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being.

Studies show that teen mothers face significant levels of stress that can lead to increased mental health concerns. In addition to higher rates of postpartum depression, teenage mothers have higher rates of depression. Pregnant teens also have a higher chance of becoming anemic which is a reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs). This can make you feel weak and tired and can affect your baby’s development. They also have higher rates of suicidal ideation than their peers who aren’t mothers. Teen mothers are more likely to experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than other teenage women, as well and this is attributed to the fact that they are more likely to have gone through mental and/or physical abuse.

Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never complete their education which means that a large proportion of mothers who get pregnant as teenagers live in poverty and are not able to realize their full potential. Their children are not left out also, born to a teenage mother, they have greater risk for lower birth weight and infant mortality; less prepared to enter kindergarten; are more likely to be incarcerated at some time during adolescence; are more likely to drop out of high school; are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed as a young adult.

When teenagers engage in sexual relationships, they do not think about the consequences. That is why it is pertinent to invest much in the issue of reproductive health with more emphasis on adopting the right attitudes about responsible sexual behavior.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Gender, Health, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst, Postpartum Depression / cfhinitiative

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) or postnatal depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that happen in some women after giving birth. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), PPD is a form of major depression that begins within 4 weeks after delivery.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can be hard to detect. However, many women have these symptoms following childbirth: Difficulty sleeping, change in appetite, excessive fatigue, decreased libido, frequent mood changes, depression, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, panic, thoughts of hurting someone else, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The OCD obsessions are usually related to concerns about the baby’s health, or irrational fears of harming the baby.

There is no one cause of postpartum depression. A number of factors can increase the chances: A history of depression prior to becoming pregnant, or during pregnancy; Age at time of pregnancy; Ambivalence about the pregnancy; Number of children — the more children, the more likely it is for one to be depressed in a subsequent pregnancy; Having a history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD); Limited social support; Loneliness during pregnancy; Marital conflict; Sleeplessness; Anxiety; Hormonal imbalance — The dramatic drop in oestrogen and progesterone after giving birth may play a role. Other hormones produced by the thyroid gland may also drop sharply and make one feel tired, sluggish, and depressed.

The diagnosis of postpartum depression is based not only on the length of time between delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression. PPD often keeps one from doing their daily activities. Hence, when the ability to function is affected, it is important to consult a health care provider, such as Obstetrician-gynaecologist or primary care doctor, who will screen for depression symptoms and develop a treatment plan. This is because PDD symptoms worsen when left untreated. Though PPD is a serious condition, it can be treated with medication and counselling.
Postpartum depression is treated differently depending on the type and severity of a woman’s symptoms. Treatment options include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and participation in a support group for emotional support and education. For severe cases, intravenous infusion of a new medication called brexanolone (Zulresso) may be prescribed.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address basic health issues. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more health-related articles.

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