Postpartum Depression

Don’t Let postpartum depression Steal your Happy Occasion

Postpartum Depression typically occurs a few days after child birth and usually lasts up to ten days. It can ruin what should be a celebration of the birth of a child. The worst part of this depression  is that for some it can be more severe lasting many months up to a year or more. Left untreated a severe case of postpartum depression can endanger the mother and possibly the infant.

With up to an 80% chance of Postpartum Depression symptoms that ranges from low to severe it's important for all moms to do what they can to minimize the severity of the symptoms that could put you and your new baby at risk.

It is important that you prepare yourself ahead of the birth of your child so that you can minimize as much as possible the effects of postpartum depression symptoms.

Technically “Postpartum Depression” is defined in the medical community as 'severe depression' illness after the birth of a child. This type of depression occurs in 10 to 15% of all women as measured and reported by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Less often discussed but much more likely to happen to you is low to' moderate depression' symptoms that occur in 50 to 85% of women as reported in the same reports by the CDC.

Clinical depression is typically described as caused by significant changes of hormonal chemicals and imbalances in the body after child birth and other factors. These changes you don’t really have very much control over. However those “other factors” that have been shown to affect the symptoms are manageable by you to some extent to the point that you do have some control which can change how severe your depression symptoms may be.
 
There are things you need to know before the birth of your baby so that you can avoid the “baby blues”. First of all you will need to recognize the symptoms of depression which are described as follows:

• Anxiety or general feelings of anxiety, uneasiness, or nervousness
• Excessive worry or obsession about being a good mother
• Ambivalent or negative feelings toward the baby
• Malaise or lack of ambition or motivation
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Irritability or restless feelings
• Rapidly changing depressed or elated moods
• Disorganization
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Lack of appetite or unexpected weight gain or loss
• Overwhelming feelings of dread
• Sleep disorders (can’t sleep or sleep too much)
• Unexplainable crying or tearfulness

Odds are you'll  have a mild form of some or all of these feelings after your baby is born but, worse yet, you may actually have some of these feelings BEFORE the baby is born. Of course, if you feel or recognize that you may have clinical depression or severe forms of these feelings, you need to seek help immediately. What is most important to remember is:

• Your body will go through chemical and hormonal changes before, during, and after birth whether you want it to or not. Stay aware of this fact and prepare yourself for it as much as possible.

• The feelings of depression that occur, if any, are not your fault and regardless of how severe or mild they may be you are not going crazy or insane.

Listed below are some proven stresses and other related factors that affect postpartum depression symptom severity:

• Mental outlook or attitude (self confidence or self-esteem)
• Marital problems, physical/mental abuse, or being unwed
• Lack of or poor social support systems (family, church, friends, etc)
• Negative life events occurring during pregnancy, such as the death of a parent or close relative or a move to a new location; previous postpartum depression or mood disorder
• History of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Bipolar disorder, depression, or other mental disorders
• Financial stresses (real or perceived)
• Obesity, lack of exercise
• Diabetes
• Drug abuse (smoking, drugs, Alcohol, medications)
• Education

Not all, but many of the risk factors listed above are under your control and can play a significant role in how you manage the “baby blues”.

So what you can do to minimize the “baby blues”?

First of all your mental attitude can make a huge difference. Having a zest for life and keeping your attitude on an upbeat can help the most. Start by minimizing as much stress from your life before the baby comes as possible. Stresses in your everyday life can have major impacts on how severe your symptoms will be postpartum.

Here is a list or suggestions that can help reduce your stress levels greatly:

• Your Mental outlook is very important. Stay positive, stay confident, and stay upbeat as you are about to become a part of the most miraculous events in your entire life. If you take the “glass is half full” attitude you're definitely on the right path for reducing stress and depression. If you find yourself taking the “glass is half empty” attitude, please read on and take action.

• Your relationships. If you are in an abusive relationship of any kind, get out, get away, seek counseling from your friends, family, pastor or priest, or your doctor. Don’t let yourself or you child be a victim. If your marriage is under stress seek counseling from your friends, family, pastor or priest, or doctor.

• Social systems are very important and can make a world of difference. Find a local community church. Churches have many support groups that have individuals you can talk to and confide in. The good news is most churches will welcome you in without prerequisite. If you are far from your family you can make contact daily via email or telephone. You may want to consider joining a local support if you are uncomfortable with the church idea.

• Negative events are inevitable and can happen. If such an event happens to you seek help anywhere you feel comfortable and do whatever you can not to dwell upon it and focus your energy on the upcoming birth of your child and what a glorious event that will be.

• If you have a history of severe PMS there is not a lot you can change except to work closely with your doctor, eat healthy, and exercise.

• If you are bipolar or have other pre-existing mental disorders and take medications for them talk to your doctor about the affects they may have on your child. They may have alternative medications your doctor can prescribe to minimize the risk factors during and after your pregnancy.
 
• Finances can be stressful. People are not always confident they can afford a child. This one is tough to over come but there is more help today than every before. Strive to find ways to cut waste, eliminate debt, and start on the road to financial recovery. You will at least have some comfort and a feeling of empowerment of knowing with confidence where you are financially.

• Exercise   will improve your mental outlook on life as well as reduce day to day stresses, however be very careful to avoid exercises that could lead to falls or abdominal injuries. It's also important to note that the better your health before you get pregnant the fewer the complications later on.

• If you are diabetic work closely with you doctor to maintain your blood sugars and closely regulate medications and your diet.

• Drugs WILL pass through you to your baby. Seek help quitting. Discuss the possible affects of prescription drugs with your doctor.

• Educate yourself. It has been reported by the CDC that educated women report less sever depression symptoms. Just educating yourself on this subject matter will help reduce symptoms simply because you'll know what to expect and will be better prepared to deal with it. Also, preparing for other potential issues such as having your child by c-section will help. In fact the odds are 1 in 3 that your child will be delivered by c-section. Most women never even consider the possibility of a c-section birth and are totally unprepared for such an event.

C-sections and postpartum depression

Are you at greater risk for postpartum depression after having a c-section?

Postpartum depression typically occurs from hormonal changes, your physical and emotional history and your outlook. Most women will experience some form of postpartum depression whether delivering vaginally or by C-Section. Of course women who have a c-section that weren't expecting it or prepared for it may feel robbed of a vaginal birth experience, hence leaving them with feelings of inadequacy. The c-section itself may be cause for depression, however there is no hard data that shows that c-section births are more or less a factor in postpartum depression symptoms verses a vaginal delivery.
 
Most healthy women want and expect to deliver vaginally however they can end of feeling depressed or feel inadequate somehow if they can’t. Prepare yourself mentally that there is no disgrace in having a c-section baby. Focus instead on what is really important, that your child is born healthy and happy and that you are healthy as well.

A large problem is that a c-section is surgery and you will be sore and tired for up to two weeks after birth during recovery. These “added” stresses will potentially play a role on your mental outlook. You owe it to yourself to understand what the effects of a c-section birth may have on you.

In Summary...

Minimize the dangers and effects that postpartum depression can cause by staying positive, reducing your daily stresses, educate yourself, and do your best to enjoy the experience. The birth of your baby is a most miraculous event. Don’t let feelings of inadequacy and anxiety take over your mental outlook. You will be a good Mom. Take your place proudly as a parent with confidence. Don’t let postpartum depression steal your moment of the greatest joy known to mankind.

Find out how you can eliminate pain, enjoy more energy, avoid the risks, bond with your baby and get back into shape sooner with the comprehensive, essential preparation & C-Section recovery Guide.

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