Getting pregnant and successfully giving birth is one of the life changes that many women face in their lifetime. While some of these women bounce back to their old selves after the postpartum period, most fall into postpartum depression.
Being a parent is exciting but can also be tiring. If you feel sad, experience extreme mood swings and constant crying spells, you may have postpartum depression. In our society, postpartum depression isn’t taken seriously the way it should. A new mom is supposed to get all the help and rest she needs to snap back after childbirth. Rather than resting, some new moms are seen in the market, going to work, doing what they are not supposed to at the moment. This extra stress is what normally pushes some new moms to postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that happens after you give birth. It involves fatigue, severe mood swings, guilt and constant crying.
It’s common to experience emotional, physical, hormonal, financial and social changes after birthing a baby.
What causes postpartum depression in new moms?
There is no single known cause of postpartum depression. But many factors can contribute to it. They may include:
Hormonal changes
After childbirth, women experience a lot of hormonal changes. These changes may trigger postpartum depression.
Stress
The stress of caring for a newborn can also take a toll on a new mom. New moms are sleep-deprived and can hardly take care of themselves because they are engrossed in taking care of their newborn. She may feel overwhelmed about her ability to care for the baby properly. These life adjustments can be difficult for a first-time mother who must get used to an entirely new life.
Physical changes
Giving birth brings numerous physical, mental and emotional changes in new moms. A new mom may be dealing with physical pain from the delivery or suffering from sleepless nights of breastfeeding, the difficulty of losing the baby weight, leaving her insecure about her physical appearance.
How to help a loved one with postpartum depression
There are some things you can do to help a new mom with postpartum depression.
These include:
Good Diet
Consistent intake of a balanced diet is required to maintain the physical and emotional well-being of a new mom.
Self-care
Self-care is very important after you have your baby. You need to get all the nourishment you can, take breaks when needed, have alone time when necessary, rest, soak in that warm bath you have been craving, have time with friends, but remember your baby needs you.
Get support
Physical and emotional support is important to help you maintain physical and mental health. If you have struggled with depression or anxiety before, know that you are at risk for postpartum depression; connect with a family or friend after you have had your baby.
Get enough sleep
After having a baby, getting quality sleep can be a mission impossible; sleep deprivation can be monitored, and target at least four hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
Exercise regularly
After delivery, there’s no better way to get feeling better down there than getting started with doing some postpartum Kegel exercises as soon as you can.
Women who get moderate exercise per day are less likely to be depressed than those who do not. This does not mean you should wear yourself out with exercise. Simply taking a walk on the street can do the work. Stay as active as possible.
Be affectionate towards new moms
As a partner, offer simple affection and comfort to your wife, and be patient if she is not up for sex. It’s normal for them to have a low sex drive with depression. Getting sufficient rest will help the recovery of the new mom.
Many times, women tend to be depressed and don’t seek help. It’s good to get help when you need it and not be afraid to receive appropriate care. Becoming a mother comes with many difficulties; receiving help and knowing what to expect before childbirth can help and make things a bit easier, making new moms happier with their babies.
