What is postpartum depression?
• Postpartum depression is a mood disorder with postpartum onset.. • Occurrence: Postpartum depression develops in approximately 10% of all postpartum women. The greatest risk occurs at approximately 4 weeks after delivery. . • Contributing factors: Risks for postpartum depression include primiparity (first pregnancy), history of postpartum depression, lack of social support, and lack of stable relationships.. • Signs and symptoms: Symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as those of any major depression: sadness, frequent crying, insomnia, appetite change, difficulty concentrating, worthless feelings, inadequate feelings, lack of concern about personal appearance, persistent anxiety, and irritability toward others.. • Treatment may require counseling, anticipatory guidance, support from others and antidepressant therapy.. • Approximately 50% of new mothers may experience some degree of baby “blues” (postpartum blues) a few days after delivery. Most common time is 3 to 10 days af
The postpartum period is a time of extreme vulnerability to depression. Up to eighty percent of women experience a phenomenon called the “postpartum blues.” This is a brief period during which women are tearful or extremely sensitive and may be more moody. Sometimes sleep is a problem. The “blues” usually resolve without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks of giving birth. About twelve to fifteen percent of women develop postpartum depression. This involves more significant symptoms of depression which women begin to experience within a few days of giving birth, and may continue to experience for weeks or months following delivery. Rapidly changing hormones seem to play a role in sensitizing women to depression. The psychological changes involved in parenting a new infant, the physical stress of the birth, and lack of sleep may also play a role. Rarely, depression can progress to the point where women develop confused and disorganized thinking about themselves or the baby, hallucinate, or ev
Postpartum depression is an illness that you can get after having a baby. It’s just like depression, which you can get at other times. But it comes at a time when you are expected to feel happy. If you get postpartum depression, you may find it hard to enjoy being with your baby and find it difficult to care for him or her. Postpartum depression nearly always gets better on its own. But if the depression goes on for a long time, you may not bond properly with your baby. And your baby may not develop as well as he or she should. There are treatments that may help you feel better faster. So, it’s important to see your doctor and get treatment early. Key points for women with postpartum depression • It’s normal to feel low, irritable or anxious for a few days after your baby is born. But if these feelings don’t go away or they get worse, you may have postpartum depression. • Postpartum depression is common. About 10 to 15 in every 100 new mothers get it. • Postpartum depression is an illn
Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage and stillbirth. Postpartum depression can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby. Postpartum depression is not the “baby blues,” which many women have in the first couple of weeks after childbirth. With the blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. But the “baby blues” usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months. In rare cases, a woman may have a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear things that aren’t there, and be a danger to herself and her baby. This is an emergency, because it can quickly get worse and put her or others in danger. It’s very important to get treatment for
Are the “baby blues” the same thing as postpartum depression? A: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many mothers can have after having a baby. PPD can be treated with medication and counseling. Talk with your health care provider right away if you think you have PPD. There are three types of PPD women can have after giving birth: The baby blues happen in many women in the days right after childbirth. A new mother can have sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and then feeling very sad. She may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. The baby blues do not always require treatment from a health care provider. Often, joining a support group of new moms or talking with other moms helps. Postpartum depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth. PPD can happe
