Post-Partum Depression

A mix of emotions can occur after you give birth and this is given the name "The baby blues". It can occur after delivery of your newborn baby and symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, crying spells and difficulty sleeping. These start a couple of days after delivery of the baby and can last for a couple of weeks.

Unfortunately, in some cases, this can become a more severe and long-term problem known as post-partum depression. This form of depression has nothing to do with the affected individual's personality and it isn't a character flaw, but rather a complication of giving birth that can be effectively managed with prompt treatment.

Causes

Physical issues:

• Drop in hormone levels such as oestrogen and progesterone after delivery of the baby.
• Sudden drop of thyroid hormones that results in fatigue and depression.
• Low omega-3 levels due to the baby using this essential fatty acid for its development.

Emotional issues:

• Issues with self-image due to the physical changes of pregnancy.
• Sleep deprivation can increase anxiety.
• Anxiety over worrying whether you'll be a good mother or be able to take care of your baby can affect your mood.

Risk factors

Postpartum depression can develop in women who have the following risk factors:

• Diagnosis of post-partum depression after a previous pregnancy.
• History of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times.
• Bipolar mood disorder.
• Family history of depression or other mood disorders.
• Experienced stressful events during the preceding 12 months.
• Lowered immune system.
• Difficulty experienced with breastfeeding.
• There are health related problems with the baby.
• Financial problems.
• Problems in your relationship with your partner or spouse.
• The pregnancy was unwanted or unplanned.

Complications 

For mothers, this condition can last for months or years and develop into a chronic depressive disorder that becomes difficult to treat. For fathers, their risk of depression increases when they become a new dad and then again when the mother becomes depressed. For the child, he/she has an increased risk of developing behavioural and emotional problems that can lead to developmental delays.

READ Treat Depression Naturally: Natural and Herbal Remedies for Depression

Management

"Baby blues"

When you experience the issues of the "baby blues", there are a few suggestions that you can follow that will allow you to get through this until the symptoms resolve within a couple of weeks.

• Accept help from family and friends. They are sincere when it comes to babies, so accept the opportunity.
• Get as much rest as you can, especially when the baby is asleep.
• Connect with other new moms.
• Create time to take care of yourself.
• Avoid recreational drugs and alcohol as they can worsen mood swings.

Post-partum depression

Depression is best managed with the combined treatment of psychotherapy and anti-depressants.

Psychologists can be consulted to help discuss any concerns that you may have, and they will help you address these issues by finding healthy coping skills that you can use to solve problems and therefore reduce the anxiety caused by these issues.

Safe anti-depressants may be prescribed by your doctor to help lower anxiety and elevate your mood. Other supplements may also be prescribed to elevate depleted levels of essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.