THE MODERN MOTHER AND POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION by Nancy Ray

Imagine getting a new baby, everyone is so elated, we say the baby is a “bundle of joy”. The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.

Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks. This is according to Mayo Clinic.

But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme mood disorder called postpartum psychosis also may develop after childbirth.

Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.

It must be frustrating having a newborn baby and being depressed at the same time, baby needs attention, yet depression is a mood disorder that makes one sink deep in a bit of sorrow and confusion, one is lost and doesn’t want to do anything, all energy is lost, and then there is a little angel trying to adjust from the womb into this world.

Some of the symptoms to look out for when you have a friend or relative who just had a baby are; excessive crying, detachment from the baby, overwhelming fatigue, lack of energy, eating too much, lack of appetite, insomnia or excessive sleeping, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, lack of concentration, feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness, restlessness, hopelessness and even thoughts of self-harming. Most of all watch out for withdrawal from the rest of the family or the mother expressing fear of not being a good mother.

In the African traditional setting, a new mother was never left alone, there would be either an aunt, mother or mother-in-law. An older or younger sibling to the new mother would come in handy to help with the newborn as the mother recuperates.

Some babies sleep through their first days after arrival, some cry throughout the night and this can be hard for a mother already experiencing depression.

You are at a higher risk if you have experienced depression before, you have Bipolar or any other mood disorder, your baby has experienced health problems, had prolonged labour or difficulty during delivery, relationship problems or it was an unplanned pregnancy. Lack of a good support system during pregnancy or after delivery could also contribute to depression. Your expectation especially of the gender of the baby can also be a contributing factor especially if it is not aligned to the spouse’s expectations or the family at large.

Mothers of twins or triplets also need special attention.

New dads can also experience postpartum depression. They too could experience patterns of sadness, extreme fatigue, restlessness and hopelessness especially if the baby can when the source of income is not stable.

If you are experiencing these symptoms or has been for longer than two weeks, cannot bond with your baby or you are experiencing suicidal ideation kindly reach out to your therapist or psychologist. If you are supporting someone experiencing the symptoms, assure them that it is ok not to be ok and reach out for help.

There is no known cause of postpartum depression, however physical and emotional changes could be possible triggers.

The physical changes may include a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed.

The emotional issues include lack of sleep, feeling overwhelmed and anxious about your ability to care for the newborn.

Watch out, it could be happening to a friend or relative!

#Rayonthepen