Definition of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a condition when a mother feels sad, guilty and other common forms of depression for a long time after giving birth. This is often due to the birth of the baby itself. The birth of a baby can give a boost of strong feelings and emotions, ranging from pleasure, happiness, to fear. This surge in various kinds of emotions played a role in its appearance postpartum depression.
Most of the new mothers experience baby blues postnatal after delivery. These conditions usually include mood swings, crying, anxiety and sleep problems.Baby blues it usually starts within the first two to three days after birth, and can last up to two weeks.
However, some new mothers experience a more severe and long-lasting form of depression. This is what is known as postpartum depression or postpartum depression. In rare circumstances, interference buy An extreme condition called postpartum psychosis can also develop after birth.
Postpartum depression is not a mother’s out character or weakness. Sometimes it’s just a complication of childbirth. If the mother has postpartum depression, prompt treatment is needed to manage symptoms and help the mother bond with the newborn.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
There is no single cause that causes postpartum depression. However, psychological problems and changes in physical condition play a role in postpartum depression.
- Physical changes.After delivery, there are enormous hormonal changes in a woman’s body (especially the female hormones estrogen and progesterone). Other Body hormones, such as those produced by the thyroid gland, also experience changes due to adaptations to these changes. Thistiroiedhormoon, one of which plays a role in providing mood changes after birth.
- Mental problems. Having a baby (especially for the first time) often causes mothers to feel anxious and insecure about their ability to care for newborns. Feelings like these that are prolonged can cause the mother to fall into a depressed state.
- Lack of sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, it can be difficult to deal with even the smallest problems.
- Self imageproblems.You may feel unattractive, struggle with identity, or feel that you have lost control of your own life. Any of these problems can contribute to postpartum depression.
Read also: What’s An Anxiety Disorders test?
Postpartum Depression Risk Factors
Postpartum depression often occurs in mothers who have children for the first time. However, this does not rule out the possibility of the birth of the next child. The following are risk factors that can increase the risk of postpartum depression, namely:
- Previous history of depressive disorder.
- History of bipolar disorder.
- History of postpartum depression in a previous pregnancy.
- Experienced a serious event in the past year that disturbed you emotionally and psychologically.
- Babies have special needs or special circumstances.
- Twin babies, or triplet pregnancies that need more attention.
- Difficulty giving breast milk
- Having problems with a partner.
- Financial difficulties at the time of delivery.
- Unwanted or unplanned pregnancy.
Simptome of postpartum depression
Before reaching postpartum depression, there is a condition called baby blues syndrome, that is, the disturbance of change buena birth.Postpartum depression has similar symptoms baby blues syndrome, with a longer duration and heavier intensity, such as:
- Disruption of change mood.
- Anxious.
- Heart broken.
- Emotionally sensitive to something.
- Feel guilty.
- Excessive crying.
- Reduced concentration.
- eating disorders.
- Sleep disturbance, difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or too much sleep.
- Stay away from family.
- Difficulty caring for the baby.
Postpartum Depression Diagnostics
The diagnosis is established after the doctor observes the symptoms experienced by the mother through an in-depth examination maintenance session which is conducted by the doctor. During the observation process the doctor can do the following:
- Provide a questionnaire to complete, related to perceived depressive symptoms.
- A blood test to find out if there is a hormonal disorder that may underlie the complaints that arise.
Postpartum Depression Complications
If not treated properly, postpartum depression can interfere with the relationship between the child and the mother and cause problems in the family.
- The source has. Postpartum depression whattreat and not given treatment can last up to months. This increases the mother’s risk of developing chronic depressive disorder and other major depressive episodes.
- But the source. Postpartum depression can have lasting effects in families. Mothers with postpartum depression may increase the risk of depression in fathers.
- For children. Children of mothers who experience postpartum depression may have emotional and behavioral disorders. Examples include eating and sleeping disorders, crying easily and delays in speaking.
Types of postpartum depression
There are three terms used to describe the mood changes a mother experiences after giving birth:
- Baby Blues
Baby blues come in almost 70 percent of mothers before in the days after delivery. Mom may experience sudden mood swings. Like feeling very happy and then feeling very sad. Mothers may also cry for no reason and may feel impatient, cranky, restless, anxious, lonely and sad.
Baby blues mag lasting only a few hours or as long as 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. Usually you don’t need treatment, but talking to your partner or other mothers can help.
- Postpartum Depression (PPD)
This condition can occur several days or even months after delivery. PPD can occur after the birth of any child, not just the first child. Mothers can have similar feelings have baby blues, it’s just that the taste a lotstrong is.
PPD often keeps mothers from doing things that need to be done every day. When the mother’s ability to function is affected, the mother should see an obstetrician or midwife. Doctors can identify symptoms of depression and plan treatment.
- Postpartum Psychosis
Is a very serious mental illness that can affect new mothers. This disease can occur quickly, usually within the first 3 months after delivery. Mothers may lose touch with reality, experience auditory hallucinations and delusions.
Other symptoms, meanwhile, include insomnia, feelings of restlessness and anger, pace, restlessness, and strange feelings and behavior. Mothers who postpartum psychosis experienced need urgent care and almost always need medication. In rare cases, mothers who postpartum psychosis experienced, being hospitalized due to the risk of harming themselves or others.
Postpartum Depression Treatment
Treatment of postpartum depression often involves psychotherapy or medication, or both.
- Psychotherapy. A session used for mothers and perhaps fathers to be able to meet a psychiatrist or psychologist, then talk about all the problems underlying depression. Psychotherapy aims to find a way to address a problem, so it does not cause a burden on the mother.
- Antidepressant medication. Antidepressants drugs can be given by a doctor if needed. Although they can pass into breast milk, most antidepressants do not cause side effects for the baby.
Preventing Postpartum Depression
If you have a prior history of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression, tell your doctor immediately during routine pregnancy tests.
- During pregnancy, the doctor will observe the symptoms and signs of depression. During pregnancy, some mothers tend to have mild depression.
- After the baby is born. After the baby is born, the doctor will recommend regular check-ups to see if there are any signs of depression baby blues syndrome.
When to see a doctor?
Mothers should see a doctor immediately if they find signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. It is very important to see a doctor immediately if the symptoms do not go away within two weeks, the symptoms worsen, it becomes more difficult to care for the baby, it becomes more difficult to carry out daily tasks, and you have thoughts about the baby’s harm.
To do an examination, you can immediately make an appointment with the doctor of your choice at the hospital through the application Halodoc. load, Off Loading application Halodoc right now!
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2022. Postpartum Depression
WebMD. Retrieved 2022. Postpartum Depression
NHS. Retrieved 2022. Review – Postnatal depression
Questions about Postpartum Depression
Can baby blues syndrome be prevented?
Asked by: arie_jeee
Answered by: Dr. Rizal Fadli
Causes of a person having the syndrome experience baby blues even to the point of becoming postpartum depression can be caused by hormonal changes in the body as well as factors such as excessive anxiety while raising a baby or accumulated fatigue. There are several preventive steps so that you do not easily get the syndromenot baby blues among other things:
- Eat Omega 3
When you are pregnant, do not forget to take foods or supplements that contain omega 3. In several studies that have been done, there is a connection between regular intake of omega 3 (DHA and EPA) can reduce the risk of premature delivery and reduce the risk of depression after childbirth.
- Set diet
After giving birth, it definitely makes mealtime a mess. Never skip every big meal and replace it with a snack. Try to always eat 3 times a day with a healthy menu such as the presence of healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
- Take a break and do a hobby
Even if you are busy taking care of a newborn baby, don’t miss to always take time to rest for a while. Mothers can take a short nap when the baby is sleeping, or if there is a husband, parent or babysitter at home. Mom can leave it for a while and can rest for a while. Lack of rest canmake up a mother become gloomy and prone to depression.
- Talk to partner or family
Don’t hesitate to ask your partner or family for help if you feel overwhelmed caring for your baby or just want to tell a story. Don’t feel completely responsible for your baby’s needs.
It is very important to have the presence and support of other people such as partners and family at this time. Mothers therefore no longer feel alone or experience excessive stress.
- Ask a member for help
If you find that talking to your partner or family doesn’t help what you’re feeling, see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Don’t be shy about telling what a load is.
