What is Postpartum Depression?

If you are feeling like this and you are a new mother then you have what is called "Baby Blues". Some women feel like this for several weeks.

What is Difference Between "Postpartum" and "Baby Blues"?

Postpartum and Baby blues differ in duration and even its effects are also different on mother and her child. Thus the depression after childbirth is called as baby blues and the depression within one year after childbirth are called as postpartum. Baby blues appears on third or fourth day after delivery whereas postpartum appears at any time within one year after delivery.

How Many Types of Postpartum Depression?

There are three types of postpartum depression.

• Postpartum Blues Postpartum blues is also called as "baby blues". Baby blues affects more that 50 to 75 percentage women. It happens after delivery. Symptoms of baby blues are sadness, anxiety, and continuously crying without any reason. This condition generally begins in first week or 3 or 4 days after pregnancy. In this condition you need help.
• Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression is serious condition and out of 10 women, 1 get affected by this. If this is your second time of postpartum depression, then you better take care as postpartum depression is likely to be risky at the second time. In postpartum depression, you may feel like constant crying, anger, as well as feelings of guilt, anxiety, and not capable to take care of baby. This depression needs treatment of psychotherapy or antidepressants. This treatment is very effective for women. Symptoms of postpartum depression last up to one year.
• Postpartum Psychosis

  This condition requires antidepressants treatment. This condition happens rarely in women, means in 1000 women, 1 get affected by postpartum psychosis. Symptom of postpartum psychosis appears after delivery but it lasts from a week to several months. Women in this condition are angry, always in confusion, feelings of sadness and shame always persists, restlessness. This condition requires emergency antidepressants treatment because there are increased chances of suicide.

Causes of Postpartum Depression

Main cause is that the rapid drop in hormones after pregnancy. The level of estrogen and progesterone in women are increased tenfold during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone, these are the reproductive hormones of women. After three days, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop back to pre-pregnant levels. These changes, we can call as chemical changes. There are also social as well as psychological changes associated with a baby.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Symptoms of postpartum depression is as follows

• Loss of interest in life
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• More sleep than usual
• Increased crying
• Feeling anxious
• Unexpected weight loss or weight gain
• Fear of harming the baby or oneself
• Sluggishness
• Fatigue
• Exhaustion

How One Can Prevent Postpartum Depression?

• Don't be too much realistic
• Limit visitors
• Take help from your close one
• Take rest
• Take exercise
• Try to avoid drug, alcohol.
• Take good diet
• Spend time with your partner

Following are the steps to follow if you have Symptoms of Depression

First of all, be frank and say frankly that I am in depression if you really are in depression. Some women don't tell anyone about her symptoms because they feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty. They worry about the baby. They think that they are unfit parents. Postpartum depression can happen to any woman. So don't worry about you and your baby.

Best solution is discussed with your doctor about your symptoms of depression. Your doctor will take test whether you are in depression or not. You can also refer to your mental health professional.

Some Helpful Tips

• Take rest as much as you want.
• When your baby naps, at that time you try to nap.
• Don't put pressure on yourself.
• Take help from your family members.
• Frankly talk about your feeling with your husband, mother, father, your friends or any one who is close to you.
• Always spend time with someone. Don't stay alone for long period.
• Don't make any major decision about life during pregnancy.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

• Psychotherapy
• Medication

• Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
• Psychotherapy
• Possible medication
• Support group

• Self Help for Depression
• End Depression Now
• Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety