What is postpartum depression? Who suffers from postpartum depression? What is the psychology of the mother after childbirth? Can postpartum depression be prevented? How the social structure stresses the expectant mother..
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression, referred toin the literature as postpartum depression, can be a major challenge for the expectant mother. Postpartum depression, also abbreviated as PPD, occurs within four weeks after the birth.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
As is well known, the rapid drop in hormones after childbirth causes chemical changes. Levels of the female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone increase almost tenfold during pregnancy and fall rapidly after birth. Within three days after birth, the levels of these hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels. In addition to these chemical changes, the social and psychological changes associatedwith having a baby greatly increase the risk of depression.
How to recognize postpartum depression?
There are some symptoms of postpartum depression. These can be listed as follows:
- Maternal malaise
- Lack of appetite
- Feeling of extreme fatigue
- Constantly changing moods
- Extreme aversion to everything
- Feeling of loss of value
Who is more likely to suffer from postpartum depression?
- According to studies, it is more common in young mothers than in older ones.
- It is also more common in those who have dilemmas about pregnancy.
- It is also more likely to be seen in mothers with more than one child.
- It is more common in single mothers or those who have problems with their spouses.
How is Postpartum Depression Treated?
Postpartum depression is a condition that almost every mother experiences, although at different levels of severity. However, in some cases, if the mother is thinking of harming the baby or herself and is unable to cope with the situation, she should consult a doctor. Relevant treatment will be provided.
How to Prevent Postpartum Depression?
In fact, with a healthy planning before the birth, the mother and father can overcome this process in the lightest way possible. Factors that trigger postpartum depression are lack of time for oneself, not being able to take care of the baby, and big parents who interfere with everything. Here, the mother can be relieved by following a few steps below:
- Ask for help to make time for yourself and be away from the baby for at least an hour a day.
- Be realistic in your expectations for yourself and your baby
- Always take a walk.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Limit visitors when you first go home
- Sleep or rest when your baby sleeps.
Concerns Arising from Our Social Structure
As a society, we protect family ties. This is good in many ways, but it is not without its challenges.
- We’ll live with you now!
Grandparents want a clear place for themselves in the lives of young adults and refusal is frowned upon. Especially when a baby is born, parents living in distant cities want to come and take care of the baby. In the meantime, they often want to live with the young parents. However , the expectant mother, who plans her daily life at home , may be a little worried about this situation. It is important to understand her anxiety and not to make such offers without her request.
- We have an opinion on everything!
The constant willingness of almost everyone around the mother to offer advice can overwhelm an already extremely tired expectant mother.
- A man doesn’t do business!
Coping with the newborn baby and the new way of life he or she brings is very difficult. The father needs to be willing to help the mother after the birth. If he is unable to cook, he can tidy up, make a shopping list for the newborn and do the shopping, or take care of the baby and let the mother have time for herself.