Postpartum Depression

The Birth of a baby is a miraculous and exciting thing. But this may result in something that women do not expect, and that is Postpartum Depression!

Postpartum depression or PPD, is a mood disorder that affects a woman after giving birth to a child. It is considered as a medical condition that affects many women after having a baby. Sometimes, it is called Peripartum Depression because it can start during pregnancy and continue after the birth of the child.  PPD is a mixture of strong feelings such as anxiety, sadness and tiredness, which eventually makes it difficult for new mothers to care for themselves and their babies. This condition often occurs within the first few weeks or months after childbirth. But this may occur between the first year after the baby is born. The most important thing about PPD is unlike ‘baby blues’ it is more severe and long-lasting.

Mentioned below are the common symptoms of Postpartum Depression

• Feeling down or hopeless most of the time
• Loss of interest in activities enjoyed before
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Crying too much
• Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
• Loss of energy
• Difficulty in bonding with the baby
• Anger
• Restlessness
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks

So, what actually causes Postpartum Depression?

• Genetics

Having a family history with a major postpartum depression increases the risk to experience PPD after having a baby.

• Hormonal Changes

A dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone levels happens in a woman’s body after having a baby. These hormonal changes are affected in regulating the moods of the person.

• Sleep deprivation

Disturbed sleeping patterns due to feeding and caring for a newborn increase the risk of having postpartum depression.

Apart from these causes, lack of support from the partner and the family, significant changes in life, financial difficulties, and traumatic birth experiences can also increase the risk of having postpartum depression.

All women should be aware of postpartum depression if they are planning to become pregnant! Prioritizing self-care by eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and having regular exercises, surrounding yourself with supportive family members and friends, open communication with your partner, having enough rest, being educated about the PPD symptoms and causes and getting ready to accept the challenges play a crucial role in preventing Postpartum Depression.

Penned by Mudara Ratnayake, First Year at the Faculty of Law