{"id":45011,"date":"2019-06-22T03:08:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-22T03:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?page_id=45011"},"modified":"2019-06-22T04:04:10","modified_gmt":"2019-06-22T04:04:10","slug":"resource-for-postpartum-depression","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/resource-for-postpartum-depression","title":{"rendered":"Resource for Postpartum Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"

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provided by <\/em><\/span>Maryville University<\/a><\/p>\n

Having a baby is typically described as a time of joy. A time to celebrate the new little life that has been brought into this world. A time to be thankful for the family unit that has now been increased by one or more.<\/p>\n

However, for some women, this life-altering event brings about feelings that aren\u2019t quite as joyful, and begins a condition known as postpartum depression (PPD).<\/p>\n

Postpartum Depression Defined<\/span><\/h2>\n

The National Institute of Mental Health<\/a> (NIMH) defines PPD as a mood disorder that sometimes appears in women after giving birth. Additionally, they say that this disorder typically comes feelings of \u201cextreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion,\u201d sometimes to the point where everyday activities are difficult to complete.<\/p>\n

According to the American Psychological Association<\/a> (APA), as many as one in seven women suffer from PPD, a condition that can present itself anywhere from a few days up to several months post-delivery. It has no boundaries, either, because it can affect any new mother without regard to her background, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or whether it is her first time or fifth time giving birth.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that feelings of sadness and anxiety directly after childbirth can occur without rising to the level of PPD. These are typically referred to as \u201cpostpartum blues.\u201d So, what\u2019s the difference?<\/p>\n

Postpartum Depression Versus Postpartum Blues<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the main differences is that the postpartum blues condition typically appears within 2-3 days of childbirth and disappears within a week or two, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/a> (ACOG). This is different than PPD, which generally sets in anywhere from one to three weeks post-birth but can take up to one full year before it presents itself.<\/p>\n

Also, PPD often requires some type of intervention to begin to resolve, while postpartum blues generally disappears on its own. Additionally, the feelings associated with postpartum blues\u2014sadness, anxiety, and being upset with the baby or a loved one\u2014are usually much less intense than the feelings associated with PPD. With the latter, the new mother\u2019s emotions are typically fairly intense, possibly even reaching the point where they become totally debilitating.<\/p>\n

Causes of Postpartum Depression<\/span><\/h2>\n

The ACOG says that there is no specific cause of PPD, but rather \u201ca combination of factors.\u201d Some are physical and others are more emotional or mental in nature.<\/p>\n

For example, the new mother\u2019s changes in hormones could act as a trigger for this mood disorder. Research<\/a> has found that the reduction in estrogen and progesterone that occur after delivery not only contribute to depression, but they are also linked to other cognitive changes as well. These include memory formation and difficulties related to learning.<\/p>\n

Another factor that can increase depression risk is a history of depression, unsure feelings about the pregnancy, longer hospital stays, and general feelings of fatigue after giving birth, according to the ACOG.<\/p>\n

The mother\u2019s life situation matters too, such as how much support she feels she has at home, whether she\u2019s had an illness or loss in her family that she\u2019s dealing<\/span> with, or any other major life changes that have recently occurred. All of these situations can impact her emotional state post-delivery.<\/p>\n

Postpartum Depression Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n

How does a new mother know if her postpartum blues is likely to go away on its own or if it\u2019s at the level of being classified as PPD?<\/p>\n

The APA says that while \u201cwarning signs are different for everyone,\u201d some of the more common PPD symptoms include:<\/p>\n