By Dr Megha Jain, Clinical Psychologist
More often than not, motherhood is associated with a feeling of joy and happiness. The arrival of a new life is a miraculous experience that a woman goes through but it also brings a slew of physical changes with it. The term “baby blues” refers to the abrupt reduction in hormone levels that occurs 3-4 days after giving birth, causing mood swings and a sense of sadness amongst mothers. By the tenth day, as the hormones balance out, this feeling usually recedes but if it lasts longer than two weeks it can be categorized as Postnatal Depression.
The exhaustion of going through childbirth followed by hormonal changes and sleeplessness can be an overwhelming experience. While the range of symptoms experienced depends on the severity of the depression, some common postpartum depression signs and symptoms may include:
● Often feeling tearful
● Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
● Having a lot of irritability
● Poor concentration (like forgetting or losing things) or being unable to decide things
● Inability to sleep (insomnia) or excessive sleeping
● lack of self-confidence and poor self-esteem
● Low mood for more than two weeks
● Loss of interest in the new baby
Relationships between Postnatal and Breastfeeding
Experts and doctors across the globe support breastfeeding as it has a multitude of health benefits for both the mother and the newborn. In addition to being a nutritional source of food for the baby, breastfeeding also has psychological benefits for both the mother and the child.
Once a patient has been diagnosed with Prenatal Depression, it is crucial to understand their feelings towards breastfeeding. In some cases, the mother has adapted to breastfeeding only due to society and family pressure and that can be the underlying cause of her depression. The treatment plan will depend on counselling the mother about alternative options.
Breast milk also stimulates the release of oxytocin, popularly known as the ‘feel good’ hormone. This indicates towards breastfeeding having a positive effect on Postnatal Depression as oxytocin helps in reducing stress.
Prevention from Postnatal Depression
There are things that one can do to prevent themselves from postnatal depression, some of them are given below –
● Maintain a healthy lifestyle
● Talk to someone like family, friends, and your doctor
● Try to go out, visit friends, or spend time alone with your partner
● Go to antenatal classes (this will prepare you for labor, birth, and early parenthood) and make friends with other pregnant women or new parents
● Talk to a GP (general practitioner) and a psychiatrist, if you’re pregnant and thinking about getting pregnant, and also if you have a history of depression or mental health problems or someone in your family has had mental health problems after childbirth
● You can also speak with a midwife, who can assist and, if necessary, link you to specialized mental health treatments. If you are having any mental health issues, try to visit your doctor regularly
Conclusion
Postnatal depression is a serious disorder that should not be ignored, if it remains untreated, it can develop into chronic depression and affect the well-being of both parents and the newborn. Awareness and understanding of the symptoms will play a crucial role in seeking help, so talk to your doctor about every change you observe.
