Lady J- Lady J
The Ups and Downs of Postpartum Depression
Updated: Jul 6, 2020
Having a baby is a beautiful thing and can bring great joy into you and your family’s life. From the time you find out you’re pregnant until the time you give birth you go through so many emotions. They range from fear, excitement, joy, trepidation just to name a few. What emotions you may not have been prepared for are anger, excessive sadness, anxiety and the list of negative emotions can go on and on.
It’s normal to feel a tad blue after birth, you go through a mourning period of you will of your old life. Motherhood is a beautiful thing, but let’s be honest, it’s exhausting and sometimes you just want to sleep or just be left alone for a while. Postpartum depression is common and treatable. Let’s dig in and see what can be learned about PPD!
What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
PPD is more than having the baby blues. PPD symptoms last longer, are more intense and interfere with your life. Your symptoms can start during pregnancy, but can develop within a few weeks after giving birth and last up to a year.
According to MayoClinic.org, PPD symptoms and signs can include the following:
Depressed mood or severe mood swings
Excessive crying
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawing from family and friends
Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Intense irritability and anger
Fear that you're not a good mother
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
Restlessness
Severe anxiety and panic attacks
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you experience any of the signs and symptoms, please let your doctor know ASAP. If untreated, your depression can get worse and last longer.
To read about postpartum psychosis, click HERE.
When to See a Doctor
My experience with PPD was rough as I shared my story in last week's newsletter - I felt angry, bitter, alone, frustrated. All of those emotions made me feel ashamed because I wasn’t the happy bubbly mom that people expect moms to be. That shame kept me from talking about what was going through my head and how I felt. If you feel like I did including the symptoms mentioned above it’s time to see a doctor. If you need further confirmation that you need to see a doctor if experience any of the following:
Don't fade after two weeks
Are getting worse
Make it hard for you to care for your baby
Make it hard to complete everyday tasks
Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you have any thoughts of harming yourself or your child, call 911 immediately for help
What Causes PPD and What Are The Risk Factors
Mayoclinic.org states that there is no single cause of PPD, list 2 suggestions that play a role:
Physical - while pregnant your body goes through so many hormonal changes, however, after child birth those hormones drop and sharply too. With the changes in your hormones, it can leave you feeling tired, lethargic and depressed. Emotional - sleepless nights, weight issues, anxiety, finding a new identity and getting used to a new normal can contribute to postpartum depression
Even though there may no known specific cause for PPD, there are certain risk factors that increases your chances of experiencing PPD:
You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times
You have bipolar disorder
You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
You have twins, triplets or other multiple births
You have difficulty breast-feeding
To read the complete list of risk factors, head over to MayoClinic.org
Can Postpartum Depression Be Prevented
Please tell your doctor if you have a history of depression when and if you plan to get pregnant. Giving them this information can help in 2 ways:
During pregnancy
Being monitored by your doctors to see how your symptoms are under control
Support groups, therapy or counseling
Medication
After childbirth
Postpartum screening to check for signs and symptoms
Medication
Psychotherapy
How is PPD Treated?
How bad your PPD is can influence how you are going to be treated. However, you can be treated with:
Psychotherapy - talking through your concerns with a mental health professional
Medication - your doctor can prescribe antidepressants
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
As with any negative issues in your life, change bad habits for good ones is always a plus and can help you heal in many ways. Below are a few lifestyle changes that can help ease your PDD symptoms:
Make healthy choices - try to exercise, eat right, get rest etc
Set realistic expectations - don’t expect to be perfect, you’ll make mistakes and that’s ok - don’t be too hard on yourself
Take time for yourself - get your nails and hair done, go out with friends, get a massage and don’t feel guilty about it either. How can you take care of your new baby if you don’t take care of you?
Avoid isolation - don’t cut yourself off from people, it will only make you feel worse.
Ask for help - you are NOT weak if you ask for help because being a new mom is tough. Your body is changing, you’re not sleeping, and getting used to your new normal can take its toll on you. If you need someone to watch your little one so you can take a nap, do it. If you need to ask your partner to take the baby outside so you can shower and pamper yourself, do it. At dinner time, ask your partner to feed the baby so you can eat without interruption. Asking for help is part of self care and it is not selfish!
In the End….
Having a baby and adding to your family is a beautiful experience, but for some women it’s not and this does NOT make you a bad mother. If you already struggle with depression, you are more prone to develop PPD. Now that you know the symptoms, causes and risk factors you’re ahead of the game and talk to your doctor and come up with a treatment plan.
Remember Brown Girls, I got through it and so can you. I believe in you and you are NOT alone!
Did you know that I now have a podcast? It's called, For My BrownGirls! Podcast and you can listen to it HERE!
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*I am not a licensed therapist. This post does not serve as a form of therapy or diagnosis. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or your doctor.