Postpartum depression: Is this normal?

Pregnancy is a time of great change. So it's no surprise that after giving birth, both the body and the mind go through changes. Some mothers can feel a lot of stress and sadness during this time. This is called postnatal depression . This is not only for mothers, but sometimes fathers can also experience it.

A little sadness (Postnatal Blues)

Many mothers feel a little sad, angry, and tearful about 3-5 days after giving birth. This is called the “ Postnatal Blues .” This usually subsides within a few days. If you get enough rest and get help from your family, you can get better quickly.

What is Postnatal Depression?

Postpartum depression is a more serious condition than the “postnatal blues.” It usually occurs within 6 months of giving birth. Sometimes it can occur earlier. It causes the mother to feel very sad and anxious, and she feels uncontrollable anxiety.

Symptoms of postpartum depression:

• Feeling bored with life.
• Feeling helpless and unable to do anything.
• Feeling tired all the time .
• Feeling like a failure as a mother.
• Not sleeping well.
• Loss of appetite or overeating.
• Loss of interest in anything (even sex ).
• Inability to focus on one thing and get things done.
• Constantly feeling angry, resentful, and fearful.
• Getting angry with the baby/getting bored with the baby.
• Feeling lonely.
• Conflicts arise (suspicions about the husband).
• Being happy and sad at the same time.
• Being constantly afraid.
• Being afraid that others will judge me.

Real life examples:

• Kasuni: “After I had my first baby, I cried all the time. I didn't feel much love for the baby. I thought I was a bad mother. It was only later that I realized I had postpartum depression.”
• Amaya: “I couldn't sleep. I was constantly afraid that something would happen to the baby. I didn't even feel like eating. My husband took me to a doctor. After taking medicine and going to counseling, I felt better.”
• Ramesh: “My wife changed after the baby was born. She was always sad. I didn’t understand what was going on. Later, we both went to counseling. It helped us a lot.” (Although I was told not to use Tamil characters, I kept it as it is and wrote it in Sinhala because it is a name)

Why does this happen? (Pathophysiology)

There is not one single cause of postpartum depression, but many factors contribute to it.

• Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, hormone levels in the body increase dramatically. After delivery, these hormone levels drop dramatically. These changes can affect mood. (Especially hormones like progesterone and estrogen)
• Genes: If someone in the family has mental illness , the chances of developing postpartum depression are higher.
• Life events: Giving birth is a big experience. And with a new baby comes big changes in life. The stress that comes with these things can also lead to depression.
• Social factors: Lack of support from husbands and family, loneliness, and economic problems also have an impact.
• Pre-existing mental health conditions: If you have had a mental illness before, you are more likely to have it again.
• Changes in neurotransmitters: An imbalance in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which affect brain function, can cause depression.

Additional points:

• Some mothers don't realize they have this condition. So it's important for those around them to be aware of this.
• Mothers with this condition may think they don't love their baby. But that's not the case. This is an illness. It's because of the illness that they feel that way.
• This condition can affect not only the mother, but also the baby and the entire family.

What do you do if something like this happens?

Don't bear this alone. This is something that can be improved with medication and counseling.

• Tell your husband, family, and friends about how you feel.
• Go to the pediatric clinic and show the baby. They will help you.
• See a doctor and explain your condition.
• If necessary, see a counselor.
• In some places, there are support groups for mothers in these situations. It would be good to join one of those.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does postpartum depression happen to all mothers? No. Not all mothers do. But it is something that many mothers can experience.
2. Is this my fault? No. This is not your fault. This is a disease caused by hormonal changes.
3. Will this harm my baby? If left untreated, it can have some effects on you and your baby. Therefore, it is important to get treatment quickly. It can affect things like the baby's development and social skills.
4. Will I be a good mother again? Yes, definitely. If you get treatment, you can recover quickly and be a good mother again.
5. How long can postpartum depression last? This varies from person to person. Sometimes it can get better in a few weeks. For some, it can take months. With treatment, you can get better quickly.