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| |  Postpartum Depression What Is It? Postpartum refers to the period immediately after childbirth. When a woman has significant symptoms of depression during this period, she is said to have postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is not the same as the "baby blues" a much more common condition that affects as many as three-quarters of new mothers. Because of hormonal changes that occur in the weeks after delivery, new moms often are emotionally sensitive and tend to cry easily. The baby blues is uncomfortable, but usually doesn't interfere with functioning as a mother, and it almost always goes away within a few weeks. Postpartum depression is a different matter. It may begin at any time in the first two to three months after giving birth. The mother feels sad or hopeless and sometimes guilty or worthless. She is unable to concentrate and unable to take any interest in anything, even the baby. In some cases, the mother may feel overwhelmed by the baby's needs and become intensely anxious. This may lead to persistent troubling thoughts or obsessions about the baby's well-being and compulsive repetitive actions, such as checking on the baby constantly or phoning the pediatrician repeatedly to ask questions. In a rare form of this disorder, which occurs in 1 out of 1,000 births, the mother becomes psychotic: that is, she is unable to recognize reality. This condition is sometimes called postpartum psychosis. The mother may have hallucinations (altered perceptions, such as hearing or smelling things that are not there) or delusions (false beliefs, such as the idea that her baby is possessed by the devil). This condition is extremely dangerous for both the mother and the baby, and once it has happened it is highly likely to happen again if the mother has another child. Postpartum depression affects about 1 in 10 new mothers. A woman is more likely to develop postpartum depression if she has:
Teenage mothers, especially if they come from families with few economic resources, have a particularly high risk of postpartum depression. Fewer than half of women with postpartum depression seek treatment for the problem. Some new mothers are unaware that postpartum depression is a real, treatable illness. Others believe that they are expected to feel happy after having a baby, and are so embarrassed about their symptoms that they do not ask for help. Symptoms A woman with postpartum depression can have any of the following symptoms:
These symptoms may develop in the first days after birth or as long as three months later. Diagnosis Primary care physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists and pediatricians may screen for postpartum depression by asking questions about the mother's quality of life. If you are a new mother, your doctor may ask about your emotions, your sleep and your appetite. If your primary care doctor or obstetrician/gynecologist believes you have symptoms of postpartum depression, and these symptoms have lasted for several weeks without improving, he or she may offer you an antidepressant or refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist will ask questions about what you're feeling and thinking, and how you are managing your day-to-day life. If your doctor is concerned that some of your symptoms may be caused by a medical illness, he or she may order blood tests to check for such conditions as anemia or an underactive thyroid. Expected Duration Usually, symptoms of postpartum depression last for a few weeks before the condition is diagnosed. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months. With treatment, many women feel better within weeks. Prevention If you are pregnant, you may be able to decrease your risk of postpartum depression by preparing yourself before the birth for the changes in lifestyle that motherhood will bring. Talk to other mothers and to your doctor in very practical, day-to-day terms about what it's like to care for an infant. Don't underestimate how much time you'll need with your newborn. Clear out as much time as you can during the period after birth. Also, don't hesitate to ask for help from your partner and others who care about you. Often, postpartum depression is difficult to combat without antidepressant treatment. If you have a history of depression or postpartum depression, you should talk with your doctor before the birth about the possibility of starting antidepressant medication soon after your baby is born. As a general rule, doctors try to minimize the amount of medication prescribed during pregnancy, but sometimes the risks of depression are more significant than the risk to the fetus. It is very important to discuss these trade-offs with your doctor. Treatment As with other types of depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is most helpful. If a mother is exhibiting signs of psychosis, she needs immediate medical attention. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are in the group known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa). If you are breastfeeding, you may worry about passing medication to your newborn. Fortunately, most antidepressants are unlikely to have much effect on the baby because only small amounts get into breast milk. The best approach is to discuss the choices with your doctors to assess the risks and the benefits in your situation. A number of psychotherapy techniques may be helpful depending on the nature of the stress, the cause of the depression and personal preference. Every woman with postpartum depression needs support as well as education about depression. Various types of psychological therapy are available.
You may begin to feel relief after starting treatment, but it usually takes at least two to six weeks before a clear improvement can be seen. You may need to try a few different approaches to psychotherapy or medication before you find the method most helpful to you. Keep trying until you get the help you need. When To Call a Professional If you are a new mother, contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of postpartum depression, especially anxiety, feelings of intense sadness or hopelessness, or difficulty sleeping. Call your doctor immediately if you have thoughts about harming yourself or the baby, or if you feel that you can no longer cope with caring for your new baby. Prognosis Most mothers with postpartum depression recover completely. This is especially true if the illness is diagnosed and treated early. About 50% of women who recover from postpartum depression develop the illness again after future pregnancies. To decrease this risk, some doctors suggest that women with a history of postpartum depression should start antidepressants immediately after the baby is delivered, before they have a chance to sink into depression. Additional Info American Psychiatric Association National Institute of Mental Health National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) Postpartum Support International American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Last updated October 17, 2008 | |
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