Initially the signs of postpartum depression and that of the baby blues may be very similar such as crying jags, mood swings, irritability and insomnia. However the main differentiating factor is that postpartum depression symptoms are more severe or tend to last longer. One of the most common signs of postpartum depression is anxiety resulting in one worrying excessively about themselves or their child; additionally the new mother may also be concerned about certain intrusive thoughts that may come to them from time to time regarding hurting their baby. Some of the other signs of postpartum depression are negative...
...feelings towards, the bay, lack of motivation and energy, feeling of guilt and worthlessness, loss of pleasure, lack of interest in sex, recurrent thoughts of suicide or death.
Postpartum depression is known to set in soon after the child is born and may increase in intensity over the next few months. Some of the major causes of postpartum depression are the rapid changes in the hormonal levels which tend to occur during the pregnancy and after delivery. The most significant changes are the drastic drop in the two main hormones that is estrogen and progesterone. Pregnant women may also experience a drop in their thyroid eels after the birth of the child as this may result in postpartum depression symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
The postpartum depression symptoms are triggered because of these hormonal changes, changes in the metabolism and functioning of the immune system as well as changes in the blood pressure levels of the new mother. Additionally new mother are also going through a number of lifestyle changes besides their physical and emotional changes which may result in them displaying the signs of postpartum depression which is coupled with the fact that many new mothers are often sleep deprived. Many first time mothers also tend to get overwhelmed with the concern of whether they will be able to correctly take care and nurture their child which may further result in them developing postpartum depression. It has been observed that women who have suffered a miscarriage in the past or have been through stressful events during the pregnancy such as prenatal problems, illness during pregnancy, difficult delivery or premature birth also are at a higher risk of suffering from postpartum depression.
This is also true for women who lack social support or are facing marital problems. Postpartum depression should be handled immediately as it may interfere with the woman’s ability to take care of themselves and the child.
Read more articles from the Postpartum Depression Category.
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