5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Postpartum Depression

For most women, pregnancy is a wondrous time filled with the hope and expectation of bringing a new life into the world, even though it comes with uncomfortable bodily changes. 

It’s completely natural, therefore, that in the week or two post-delivery, some women experience the “baby blues,” a period of uncertainty characterized by anxiety, mood swings, and frequent crying spells.

However, about one in every 10 women develops a more severe form of depression called postpartum depression, which has all the hallmarks of major depressive disorder (MDD). Left untreated, it can last for months or even years and render you unable to care for your baby.

At Hibari Family Medical in Edgewater, New Jersey, Dr. Chika Kuwama, Dr. Yukiko Oe, and Dr. Jessica Chow provide postpartum care for all new mothers, including ones struggling with postpartum depression (PPD). If you’re pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, here are five things the team wants you to know about PPD.

Causes and symptoms of PPD

The causes of PPD vary from one woman to the next, but a big contributor is your hormones. 

After delivery, your body sees a dramatic drop in the two major reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. In addition, thyroid hormones can drop sharply, leaving you tired, sluggish, and depressed.

Lack of good-quality sleep is another key factor. As most new parents find out, they spend the next few months after delivery feeling sleep-deprived and overwhelmed from caring for the new baby. This can make it difficult to deal with even minor problems, and it can make them even more anxious about their ability to care for their new child.

And we have to include your self-image. Your stretched and still-heavy body may make you feel less than attractive, and no longer carrying the fetus can leave you wondering about who you are and give you the feeling that you've lost control over your life.

Other risk factors for PPD include:

• Personal or family history of depression
• Having other mental health conditions
• Complications during pregnancy
• Lack of a strong social support network
• Difficulty adjusting emotionally to motherhood

The baby blues are perfectly normal; after all, you’ve just gone through a major life experience. However, some women with PPD can also experience symptoms of MDD, which aren’t generally seen after childbirth. These symptoms include: 

• Feeling like you’re not bonding with your baby
• Crying a lot for no apparent reason
• Becoming angry and short-tempered
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, and helpless 
• Having thoughts of death, suicide, or hurting another person
• Having difficulty concentration

You need to seek medical attention if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.

5 things every woman should know about PPD

The following are five things you need to know about postpartum depression:

1. Only one in 10 women experience it; it may not happen to you
2. Symptoms usually start within four weeks of delivery
3. You can ease symptoms with self-care, including eating nutritious food and exercising
4. Researchers are investigating medications to address symptoms, so there’s hope
5. There are treatments that help restore your mood and bond with your baby

Children of mothers with PPD are more likely to have problems with eating and sleeping, they cry more than usual, and they may show delays in language development. These are all good reasons to seek treatment for the condition.

Treating postpartum depression

The Hibari Family Medical team can refer you to a mental health professional for counseling or psychotherapy, which can help you understand and cope with your emotions and challenges.

Joining a support group of other women coping with PPD can provide comfort and understanding and make you feel less alone.

And don’t skimp on self-care. Despite the demands of a newborn, do your best to get enough rest, eat nutrient-dense foods, be physically active, and if you need help, ask! Social support can be an invaluable resource.

Sometimes, you may need prescription medication to help manage your symptoms. The most common type prescribed are antidepressants, some of which are safe to use while breastfeeding. The downside, though, is they may take a few weeks to kick in.

Fortunately, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a medicine called brexanolone specifically to treat postpartum depression in adult women. A doctor or nurse administers it in a medical office or clinic as an intravenous infusion over a 60-hour period.

In addition, the FDA has approved zuranolone, the first oral medication approved to treat PPD. It may be a better choice for breastfeeding or pregnant women.

If you’ve recently given birth but feel down in the dumps, you need to come into Hibari Family Medical for an evaluation and treatment; you don’t have to endure PPD alone. Call the office at 201-903-9929, or book online with us today.