MOVING FORWARD

Take care of your body, it’s the only

A healthy lifestyle is something we refine over time – not overnight.

Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what

Never say the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.

The body achieves what the mind

It never gets easier. You just get

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

WHAT IS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?

A type of depression known as postpartum or perinatal depression happens after a baby is born. Up to 1 in 7 new mothers may experience this very common but dangerous medical issue after giving birth. You may experience empty, cold, and depressing feelings after giving birth. Long after birth, it may still result in mood swings, tiredness, and a general feeling of pessimism.

Postpartum depression should not be taken lightly. Although it's a serious illness, people can overcome it with the aid of a number of therapy options. You need to be aware that you're not the only person going through postpartum depression and that you can get better.

Symptoms of postpartum depression

Within a few days of giving birth, a lot of people experience "baby blues," or feelings of sadness, emptiness, moodiness, or exhaustion. However, postpartum depression can last for weeks after giving delivery, going much beyond that. You may experience severe symptoms that limit your ability to perform daily tasks.

Postpartum depression symptoms can differ from person to person and day to day. Although symptoms can appear at any time following childbirth, they frequently appear between one and three weeks after birth.

You might feel estranged from your child if you have postpartum depression. You can think that you don't care for your child. You are not to blame for these feelings. Additional indications according to several reliable sources for postpartum depression include:

● Feeling depressed or crying a lot and feeling overwhelmed

● Having thoughts of harming the child or yourself

● Not being interested in the child and having no energy or motivation

● Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad parent

● Sleeping excessively

● Feeling anxious

● Having persistent headaches, aches, pains, or stomach issues

Causes of postpartum depression and its risk factors

Although its specific cause is unknown, postpartum depression may be influenced by a number of circumstances. Physical changes and mental factors may combine to cause postpartum depression episodes.

Physical factors

Your progesterone and estrogen levels are higher than typical while you are pregnant. Hormone levels return to normal within hours after delivery. This sudden transition might contribute to postpartum depression's emergence. Other physical factors that could play a role in postpartum depression development include:

● Low levels of thyroid hormone

● Medications that cause sleep deprivation

● Abuse of drugs and alcohol

Emotional factors

According to research, having stressful situations while pregnant dramatically increases the risk of postpartum depression. Some examples of emotional stressors are:

● Financial hardship

● Recent divorce

● Loss of a loved one

Postpartum psychosis: What is it?

Postpartum psychosis is the most severe type of postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is rare and affects 1-2 in every 1,000 women.Although cases have happened up to six months after delivery, it often appears unexpectedly a few weeks after birth.

Restlessness, irritability, and sleeplessness are the initial signs of postpartum psychosis. Delusions and hallucinations, in which you see unreal sounds, sights, or smells, are also frequent. The possibility of intentionally or accidentally injuring yourself or your child when experiencing postpartum psychosis exists.

Prevention of postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a common condition that may not completely be prevented. However, being aware of the symptoms of postpartum depression may help you treat the condition and receive care more quickly if necessary.

Several therapies, such as the use of specific antidepressants and nutrients during and immediately after pregnancy, according to a dependable source, may lower your chance of suffering from severe postpartum depression.

Additionally, those who are more likely to experience postpartum depression may benefit from engaging in interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy both during and after pregnancy. Additionally, you might be able to lower the risk of experiencing postpartum depression by:

● Establishing a network of friends and family before the birth of your child

● by enrolling in prenatal and postnatal education classes

● Arranging for childcare so you can take a break,

● maintaining a healthy diet, making an effort to exercise and get some fresh air each day,

● getting enough sleep and rest overall,

● and either limiting or eliminating alcohol use.

In order to explore treatment options and take care of your physical problems, you should get in touch with a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any postpartum depression symptoms. In order to assist you in navigating the postpartum time and your diagnosis, they can also suggest a therapist or other nearby resources.