Postpartum Depression: A Case For New Mothers

While the birth of a child is an exhilarating phase for a new mother, it is also a taxing time, both physically and mentally. From all the pampering in the pregnancy phase, a woman is suddenly thrust into a new role, that of a mother. Breastfeeding, sleepless nights, and post-delivery recovery are all things that can mean pushing the envelope for a woman, overwhelming her. Add to this the fluctuating hormone levels, and it is not uncommon for her to feel low. While some amount of sadness or anxiety is common (called baby blues), it can become a cause of concern if it prolongs for a longer time. This mood disorder that affects new mothers is called postpartum depression. In this condition, a woman can experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion so much so that it may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others.

Postpartum depression affects nearly 20% of Indian mothers within the first 12 weeks of childbirth, while a milder form of the same, postpartum blues affects 50% to 80% of Indian women. Further, while limited research has been conducted on the specific group of Indian mothers, symptoms of depression and anxiety are two to three times more common, generally, in women than men. Clinical Depression is twice as common in women than men. Women also have greater severity of symptoms in the case of anxiety disorders. The average age of onset of clinical depression in India is 31.9 years. Indian women of that age are often married and have at least 1 child.
 
Some women are more prone to postpartum depression including those with a history of depression, a stressful life event during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth, those with medical complications during childbirth, etc. The levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone drop drastically post childbirth which can lead to chemical changes in the brain, triggering mood swings. The situation is more serious in India where the society lacks concern and empathy towards women who wear multiple hats, and often takes them for granted. For example, very often, there seems to be a lack of concern for a new mother while complete focus is given to the baby, forgetting that new mothers can be stressed due to the new role as well as the added pressures of managing themselves and another young person. Society also does not account for the physical and hormonal changes that are part of pregnancy and childbirth. Women are also expected to be perfect wives, caregivers, employers, and employees with no room for error or physical or emotional exhaustion. If not recognized on time, postpartum depression can exacerbate and require treatment.
 
It is very rare to find women talking about their own emotional issues, especially in the older generations. However, slowly but surely, the younger Indian woman is beginning to be a little more open and seek support from friends and professionals. It is also a good idea to have birth companions during deliveries. A trained birth companion can help reduce tension and increase the mother's feeling of self-control. They can also help in enhancing the partner's participation, improve outcome for the newborn, facilitate parent/infant bonding, and decrease postpartum depression while increasing positive feelings about the birth experience. There is also a need to create awareness about postpartum depression among pregnant women, new mothers, and the family and counsel them on how they can support the women through this phase
 
Some tips for women after childbirth.

"      Try catching small naps when the baby is asleep. This will make sure that tiredness does not make your anxiety worse.
"      Eat a balanced and healthy meal to increase your energy levels.
"      Distract yourself from any negative thoughts by engaging in activities that you enjoy even if it is for a brief period. A small walk can also help.
"      Talk to anyone in your family or friends circle about how you feel.
 
In conclusion
Women should understand that this is a temporary phase and it is not wrong to ask for help. Every pregnancy is different, and it is important to get rid of that guilty feeling in case of misses.