Postpartum or postnatal depression is a complex mixture of physical, psychological, and behavioral changes that take place in a mother after giving birth. Depression may occur in girls at during the pregnancy or after the delivery of their child. Postpartum depression occurs after delivery due to the hormonal changes in a woman’s body. About 70-80percent of girl experience this, and it could appear within days of delivery or within a year.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the levels of two female hormones, progesterone and estrogen, rise greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, these rapidly drop back to their regular non-pregnant levels. Researchers believe that this quick change in hormone levels can trigger depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman’s moods before the menstrual cycle. Also, drops in the levels of thyroid hormones that helps to regulate metabolism accounts for prompting depression.

The quantity of blood in the body, the blood pressure, the immune system and metabolism all change after giving birth. These changes affect how one feels emotionally and physically, causing fatigue or mood swings. There’s absolutely no specific cause called depression after childbirth, but it is very likely that physical, psychological and lifestyle factors play a role.

Depression

Often, the depression isn’t recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are occurring at exactly the exact same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, more powerful emotional reactions, and changes in body weight occur during and following pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.

The significant causes include a family history of depression or substance abuse, little support from family and friends, anxiety about the fetus, issues with a previous pregnancy or birth, marital or financial problems, young age of mother, feeling fatigue after delivery, broken sleep patterns, feeling less attractive, and doubting the capacity to be a fantastic mother. Sometimes, women think they must be the perfect “super mom,” that can add stress.

Conclusion

Having to stay home or indoors for longer periods of time and never have time to spend with you? There’s a difference between baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues can occur in the days following childbirth and normally go away in a few days to a week, whereas postpartum depression can occur anytime within the first year following childbirth and has to be treated by a health care provider.

Talk therapies and anti-depressant medications are the most effective methods to overcome and prevent this melancholy. Taking a rest when the baby does, asking for help from family and friends, and talking with other mothers definitely helps. Maintaining a journal to note emotions and feelings also functions as a vent.