I Need Help With... Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression – What It Is, and What You Can Do
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I just don't feel like I can handle anything! |
Are you feeling depressed? If you’ve just given birth (within a year), then you may have what’s commonly called postpartum depression.
Researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.
The signs of postpartum depression
During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen and progesterone increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect your moods before you get your period.
Occasionally, levels of thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. Low thyroid levels can cause symptoms of depression including depressed mood, decreased interest in things, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and weight gain. A simple blood test can tell if this condition is causing a woman's depression. If so, we can prescribe some thyroid medicine.
You might also feel depressed simply because you’re overwhelmed with your new baby. Your routines are changing, you have less free time, and definitely less control over your time!
Sometimes it’s just a stressful life that causes the depression. Hormonal changes can also play a role. Extreme fatique after your baby's birth is the most common cause of post partum depresstion.
When to see us…
Come see us if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Withdrawal from friends and family or your baby
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
- Crying a lot
- Having no energy or motivation
- Eating too little or too much
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
- Feeling worthless and guilty
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)
Generally, we’ll recommend that you and your partner do things to help free you up and give you more time for yourself. Exercise helps, as does a healthy and nutritious diet. But most important is sleep! When your baby sleeps, so should you. When people ask if they can help, ask them to bring you a casserole so you don't have to cook, or delegate house work or laundry to family members or friends.
We might also suggest talk therapy, or in some cases prescribe anti-depressants. Every situation and every person is unique. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, then please come see us as soon as possible.
Your health is as important to your family as it is to us. We’ll offer postpartum depression support, postpartum depression screening, and of course postpartum depression treatment.