Postpartum Depression

Don’t let postpartum depression Steal your Happy Occasion.

Postpartum Depression typically occurs a few days after child birth and can last up to ten days.

It can ruin what should be a celebration of the birth of your child. The worst part of this depression is that, for some women, it can be more severe lasting many months up to a year or more.

Left untreated a severe case of postpartum depression can endanger the mother and possibly the infant.

You have about an 80% chance of experiencing postpartum depression so it's important for all moms to do what they can to minimize the severity of the symptoms that could put you and your new baby at risk.

Start by preparing yourself before you even give birth so that you can minimize as much as possible the effects of postpartum depression symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Postpartum depression?

Clinical depression is typically described as caused by significant changes of hormonal chemicals and imbalances in the body after child birth and other factors.

These are changes that you don’t really have very much control over. However there are other factors that you do have control over and that are manageable to some extent, and these are things that can have an effect on how severe your depression symptoms may be.
 
First of all, it helps to be able to recognize the symptoms of depression which are described as follows:

• Anxiety or general feelings of anxiety, uneasiness, or nervousness
• Excessive worry or obsession about being a good mother
• Ambivalent or negative feelings toward the baby
• Malaise or lack of ambition or motivation
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Irritability or restless feelings
• Rapidly changing depressed or elated moods
• Disorganization
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Lack of appetite or unexpected weight gain or loss
• Overwhelming feelings of dread
• Sleep disorders (can’t sleep or sleep too much)
• Unexplainable crying or tearfulness

Odds are you'll have a mild form of some or all of these feelings after your baby is born but, worse yet, you may actually have some of these feelings BEFORE the baby is born.

Of course, if you feel or recognize that you may have clinical depression or severe forms of these feelings, you need to seek help immediately.

Please also remember that:

• Your body will go through chemical and hormonal changes before, during, and after birth whether you want it to or not. Stay aware of this fact and prepare yourself for it as much as possible.

• The feelings of depression that occur, if any, are not your fault and regardless of how severe or mild they may be you are not going crazy or insane.

Listed below are some proven stresses and other related factors that affect postpartum depression symptom severity:

• Mental outlook or attitude (self confidence or self-esteem)
• Marital problems, physical/mental abuse, or being unwed
• Lack of or poor social support systems (family, church, friends, etc)
• Negative life events occurring during pregnancy, such as the death of a parent or close relative or a move to a new location; previous postpartum depression or mood disorder
• History of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Bipolar disorder, depression, or other mental disorders
• Financial stresses (real or perceived)
• Obesity, lack of exercise
• Diabetes
• Drug abuse (smoking, drugs, Alcohol, medications)
• Education

Not all, but many of the things listed above are under your control and can play a significant role in how you manage the “baby blues”.

So what you can do to minimize the “baby blues”?

First of all your mental attitude can make a huge difference. Having a zest for life and keeping your attitude on an up beat can help the most.

Start by minimizing as much stress from your life before the baby comes as possible. Stresses in your everyday life can have an impact on how severe your symptoms will be postpartum.

Here is a list or suggestions that can help reduce your stress levels greatly:

• Improve your mental outlook.  Stay positive, stay confident, and stay upbeat as you are about to become a part of the most miraculous events in your entire life. If you take the “glass is half full” attitude you're definitely on the right path for reducing stress and depression. If you find yourself taking the “glass is half empty” attitude, please read on and take action.

• Improve Your relationships. If you are in an abusive relationship of any kind, get out, get away, seek counseling from your friends, family, pastor or priest, or your doctor. Don’t let yourself or you child be a victim. If your marriage is under stress seek counseling from your friends, family, pastor or priest, or doctor.

• Get involved socially.   Find a local community church. Churches have many support groups that have individuals you can talk to and confide in. The good news is most churches will welcome you in without prerequisite. If you are far from your family you can make contact daily via email or telephone. You may want to consider joining a local support if you are uncomfortable with the church idea.

• Don't dwell on the negative. Troubling events are inevitable and can happen. If such an event happens to you seek help anywhere you feel comfortable and do whatever you can not to dwell upon it and focus your energy on the upcoming birth of your child and what a glorious event that will be.

• If you have a history of severe PMS, work closely with your doctor, eat healthy, and exercise.

• If you are bipolar or have other pre-existing mental disorders and take medications for them talk to your doctor about the affects they may have on your child. They may have alternative medications your doctor can prescribe to minimize the risk factors during and after your pregnancy.
 
• Get your Finances in Order. Finances can be stressful. People are not always confident they can afford a child. This one is tough to overcome but there is more help today than ever before.

Find ways to cut waste, eliminate debt, and start on the road to financial recovery. You will at least have some comfort and a feeling of empowerment if you know where you are financially.

• Exercise.  Getting a daily dose of exercise will improve your mental outlook on life as well as reduce day to day stresses, however be very careful to avoid exercises that could lead to falls or abdominal injuries. It's also important to note that the better your health before you get pregnant the fewer the complications later on.

• If you are diabetic work closely with you doctor to maintain your blood sugars and closely regulate medications and your diet.

• Avoid Drugs.  If you have a drug habit get control as early on in your pregnancy as you can. Drugs WILL pass through you to your baby. If you have an addition seek help in quitting. Discuss the possible affects of prescription drugs with your doctor.

• Educate yourself. It has been reported by the CDC that women who educate themselves have reported less sever depression symptoms.

Educating yourself on this subject matter will help reduce symptoms simply because you'll know what to expect and will be better prepared to deal with it. Also, prepare yourself for the potential of having a c-section. Today 1 in 3 babies are born via c-section so consider the possibility and prepare yourself in the event that it could happen.

Who is at greater risk for postpartum depression?

First time moms who have a c-section that were expecting a vaginal birth sometimes suffer postpartum depression to a greater degree, simply because they feel deprived of the natural birth experience. There is no hard data that shows that c-section moms will suffer a greater degree of depression but it does sometimes happen.

For this reason it helps to prepare yourself mentally for the possibility of having a c-section. If you can understand why a c-section occurs and what to expect during the c-section recovery, you can better prepare.  I mention that because if you're unprepared you can't effectively manage your situation.   

In Summary...

Minimize the dangers and effects that postpartum depression can cause by staying positive, reducing your daily stresses, educate yourself, and do your best to enjoy the experience. The birth of your baby is a most miraculous event. Don’t let feelings of inadequacy and anxiety take over your mental outlook. You will be a good Mom. Take your place proudly as a parent with confidence. Don’t let postpartum depression steal your moment of the greatest joy known to mankind.

For lots more help, tips and personal advice with making critical decisions regarding your C-Section, Planing, avoiding pain/risks and Recovering quickly including getting your life & your shape back, please see the Worry free C-Section at www.worry-free-c-section.com.

Return to C-Section Articles