How to Release Postpartum and Peripartum Depression?

Depression that develops during pregnancy or right after giving birth is referred to as “peripartum depression”. The term “peripartum” acknowledges the fact that depression is related to having a baby, and it frequently starts during pregnancy.

Most women feel that having a baby is a jumble of powerful emotions, ranging from pleasure and excitement to fear and anxiety. But it may also lead to depression, which one might not expect. For women who are experiencing peripartum (formerly known as postpartum) depression, it may be a highly stressful and challenging period.

After giving birth, some new mothers might experience “baby blues,” which commonly include mood swings, crying episodes, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. The first two to three days after delivery are usually when baby blues start, and they can continue for up to two weeks. However, the two conditions are distinct. Peripartum depression is a more severe, chronic form of depression that some new moms may experience.

Untreated peripartum depression affects the mother’s health and quality of life, but it can also affect the baby. Children of moms with peripartum depression are more likely to experience cognitive, emotional, verbal, developmental, and social problems in the long run.

Peripartum depression symptoms include:

• • • Severe mood swings
    • Excessive crying
    • Hard bonding with a newborn
    • Loss of pleasure or interest in once-enjoyed activities
    • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
    • Inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
    • Extreme fatigue or energy loss
    • Distancing from friends and relatives
    • Lack of care or interest in the baby
    • Having severe anxiety about/around the baby
    • Having feelings of being a bad mother
    • Fear of harming the baby or oneself
    • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt
    • Restlessness
    • Having trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
    • Persistent suicidal or death thoughts

New fathers can also experience postpartum depression. They face the same symptoms that postpartum depressed women encounter, which include feeling sad or tired, feeling anxious, or changing their regular eating and sleeping schedules. Peripartum depression is most commonly found among young dads, those with a history of depression, people who struggle with relationships, and financially unstable people.  Postpartum depression in fathers, sometimes called paternal postpartum depression, can have the same negative effect on relationships and child development as postpartum depression in mothers can.

Many women may suffer in silence, dismissing their problems as a normal aspect of pregnancy and childbirth and failing to get proper help.  It’s crucial to receive treatment for depression throughout pregnancy. Better awareness and knowledge can lead to better results for mothers and their newborn babies.

Peripartum depression can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, social support, or a combination of these, just like other kinds of depression.

The American Psychological Association (APA) states that when depression or anxiety is mild, psychotherapy without medication is recommended as the first line of treatment for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Antidepressant medication should be taken into consideration as the first line of treatment for women who have moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Antidepressant options during pregnancy includes Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Bupropion (Wellbutrin) or Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

The risks and benefits of medication should be discussed with a doctor by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The choice should be taken after carefully weighing the possible risks and benefits of therapy vs. no treatment for the mother’s, the unborn child’s, and/or the nursing newborn’s or infant’s health.

• Learn to recognize symptoms of anxiety and depression, and if you notice them, gently suggest that she visit a doctor.

• Let her know you understand her concerns and want to talk about what she’s experiencing.

• Reassure her that she is not alone and that you are there to support her. Offer to watch the baby while she rests or help with home chores.

• Encourage her to seek help if needed, especially if she feels hesitant or uncomfortable asking for support.