PostPartum Depression

I was a very happy mother soon after giving birth, apart from the usual stress over baby not latching, not thinking I have enough milk, nursing a wound that was not planned, I was pretty much fine. I was happy to be a mother and to have finally given birth, since my baby was 2 weeks late and I had to go for an induction. In fact I healed so fast that after 2 days, the doctors cleared me safe enough to go home though CS mothers take 5 days at the hospital and so on day three we left hospital.

On getting home, reality struck, I could not buzz the nurse when the baby cried, I had to be everything and do everything for this lil man. Sure I had the help of my husband and my sister in-law and a house help but still I felt too overwhelmed. I wanted to cry but also be strong enough and be treated like a ‘patient’. I wanted to buzz, I did not want to be asked what I wanted to eat, I wanted someone to figure that out.

Then came cracked nipples and they hurt like hell itself. I remember calling my friend wailing because I was in so much pain that I even contemplated quitting to breastfeed my son. My mum happened to visit at this time and it helped to hear her say that it would pass. The thought of my son needs to nurse or he has woken up made me cringe with pain. It was such a sharp pain that I felt it run from my boob down to my big toe and round my back to the lower rib. I don’t know if any other mother experienced this but for those 2 weeks, nursing was a nightmare.

All this ‘craziness’ finally made me crumble. I could not handle it anymore. I loved my son but I was overwhelmed. I got engorged and had to go to hospital because I developed fever and I was sick. My husband, who is in business, still had to answer calls and go for urgent meeting because that is where our bread and butter comes from. Though I had help, I wanted him with me all the time and so he was on full time duty, both day and night.

I did not know then, that I was suffering from postpartum depression. I felt like no one understood what I was going through and so my milk supply took a dip. I wanted to be a great mother but the weight of raising a new baby and struggling to put him in a schedule weighed heavily on my shoulders and I was not strong enough to handle it and the weaker I felt the more I pushed myself and the more depressed I became. I ‘hated’ my husband because he seemed so fine and the new baby did not seem to take a toll on him, I felt like he was living in bliss.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It may occur soon after delivery or up to a year later. Most of the time, it occurs within the first 3 months after delivery. My depression took about a month or 2, the details are vague but I know I felt overwhelmed for a while. It is totally different from baby blues, which last for a day or two. Statistic show that 5-25% of new mothers suffer while 1- 25.5% of fathers are affected though mostly only mothers exhibit the symptoms.

Symptoms may include but are not limited to; sadness, hopelessness, low self esteem, guilt, a feeling of being overwhelmed, sleep and eating disturbance, inability to be comforted, exhaustion, emptiness, social withdrawal, low or no energy, being easily frustrated, difficulty bonding with your baby, thought of harming yourself and sometimes even the baby, severe mood swings, anger.

There’s no single cause of postpartum depression. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.

• Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute to postpartum depression. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed. Changes in your blood volume, blood pressure, immune system and metabolism can contribute to fatigue and mood swings.
• Emotional factors. When you’re sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive or struggle with your sense of identity. You may feel that you’ve lost control over your life. Any of these factors can contribute to postpartum depression.
• Lifestyle influences. Many lifestyle factors can lead to postpartum depression, including a demanding baby or older siblings, difficulty breast-feeding, financial problems, and lack of support from your partner or other loved ones.

Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. The risk increases if:

• You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times
• You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
• You’ve experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss
• You’re having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other
• You have a weak support system
• You have financial problems
• Being single
• The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted

What can I do to cope?
Be good to yourself. Make sure your own basic needs are met: Try to sleep and eat well, and try not to feel guilty about the way you feel now. Just because you have PPD doesn’t mean you are a bad mother or don’t love your child. Once you feel better, these feelings will diminish.

Don’t expect so much of yourself.  If you have clinical depression, anxiety, or OCD, it is enough just to get out of bed and face the day. Focus on taking good care of yourself.  If you can do this each day, you’ll be doing well.
Ask for support. Part of being a good mother is knowing when to ask for help – so don’t be afraid to ask for it during this difficult time. Help comes in many forms, ranging from friends who cook meals and fold your laundry to therapy. You need support from others so you can get better.
Share your feelings. Tell someone you trust about how you feel. Call a sympathetic friend. Join a mothers’ group for support. You may be surprised at how many women are experiencing similar feelings. If you have a supportive partner, make sure he knows what’s going on and how he can help.
Don’t neglect your “outside.” Taking care of your physical self can sometimes help you feel better inside. Have your partner or a friend watch your baby so you can take a relaxing shower. Put on makeup if you usually wear it.
Get some rest. The rigours of caring for a newborn 24/7 can leave you exhausted. But it’s still important to give yourself rest breaks, even if you just read a magazine or watch TV. Ask a relative or friend to watch your baby for an hour or so each day
Venture outdoors. Put your baby in a stroller and take a walk around the block, or meet a friend at a nearby café. The fresh air, sunshine, and conversation will do you and your baby a world of good.
Slow down. Your baby’s arrival is a good reason to take it easy. Resist the temptation to do the laundry while your baby sleeps, and let the rest of your chores wait. Turn off the ringer on the phone when you’re trying to get the baby to sleep or when you’re finally sitting down for a much-needed break.

Don’t worry – you’ll get back on track soon enough.

Additional facts:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/