In the week after you have your baby, usually on day 3, you may feel a little sad and uncomfortable. This is known as postpartum depression (post partum syndrome). Any healthy pregnant woman can experience this period.
Puerperium is a period of about 6 weeks after the birth of a new mother. Postpartum depression is a very common condition, affecting 8 out of 10 mothers. The postpartum period is the week after childbirth, when mothers experience some changes in their mood. If you think about the stages your body goes through during childbirth, not counting the pregnancy period, you will realize that your body wants to return to the pre-pregnancy period, both physically and mentally. During the puerperium, when you start breastfeeding, the pregnancy hormones start to leave your body and you will feel the changes in your mood. This depressive state does not affect you for a long time and passes within a few days, sometimes even within a few hours. Mothers who continue breastfeeding reduce the risk of postpartum depression thanks to the happiness hormone, oxytocin, which is released after breastfeeding.
If your partner, relative or friend is suffering from postpartum depression, here are some suggestions on how you can help them:
- Convince her that she can handle a very big job.
- Help her with household chores such as hanging out the laundry, cooking, etc. at least during the puerperium.
- Hug her if you think she needs it.
- Let her cry, listen to her during this time and let her know that you are with her.
If your mood has not improved even one month after the birth, go and talk to your health counselor about your postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a type of depression that develops 6 weeks after giving birth. However, many women in the postpartum period do not realize that they have this depression. Therefore, the mother may not realize that she should seek help when she is not feeling well. For this reason, you can inform your partner and close relatives about such a state of mind during the puerperium. Postpartum depression is more common than people think. Many mothers with postnatal depression avoid admitting it because they think it makes them look weak and bad as a mother. The symptoms of postnatal depression can appear in different ways, depending on personal concerns. In general, however, during the postpartum period, mothers feel that they cannot cope with the baby and life.
The main symptoms of postpartum depression are as follows:
- Constant state of sadness
- Lack of energy and extreme fatigue
- Looking at the world around you as hopeless and not enjoying anything
Other symptoms of postpartum depression during the puerperium include
- Difficulty sleeping (even when the baby sleeps)
- Aches and pains
- Inability to stop crying
- Feeling guilty and blaming oneself
- Lack of concentration and difficulty making decisions
- Memory loss
- Panic attack
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety and uneasiness
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Feeling unable to cope with events
- Suicidal and self-harming thoughts
- Frightening thoughts about harming the baby
Postpartum depression can be debilitating and can affect your regular life, which is your greatest need during the puerperium. Early diagnosis will therefore facilitate treatment and help you to have a comfortable puerperium. The degree of depression you are experiencing will determine the type of treatment you will receive. Different treatment methods such as self-treatment, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressant therapy are recommended by your specialist. If you think that your partner is suffering from postpartum depression or that a friend who is a mother is suffering from postpartum depression, try talking to her or someone else about it. In the emotional fluctuations experienced during the puerperium, the support of the environment, especially the support of the partner, becomes very important for the mother. One of the most helpful ways for the mother to get rid of her worries during the puerperium is to feel safe. Spouses’ help and support for new mothers during the puerperium will comfort her. Visit your doctor or talk to someone close enough to understand what she is feeling. Postnatal depression is a temporary illness, but it needs treatment and is not something that can be overcome on its own. Remember that no one will judge you for having it, because it is more common than you think.