Postpartum depression

According to research immediately after birth in 50-75% of women in one form or another occurs postpartum depression. Most of her symptoms were mild and of short duration, depression manifests itself in the short-term emotional instability - the tendency to groundless crying and mood swings.

Severe form of perinatal depression, better known as postpartum, occurs in 10-15% of primiparous mothers. Doctors relatively recently drew attention to the pervasiveness of this condition. And it turned out that it is curable!

Do I have the risk of postpartum depression?

Answer the questions below, and read the information on this disease often silenced.

* Do you have trouble sleeping?
* Do you have inexplicable bouts of agitation, anxiety or panic during the day?
* How often do you cry for no good reason?
* Did you ever have trouble concentrating?
* Worried you because of lack of confidence or low self-esteem?
* Sometimes you have sudden fluctuations in appetite?
* Indicates whether you have diminished interest in things that previously seemed to be attractive to you?
* Is there a misunderstanding between you and your partner (spouse)?
* Do you have a sense of helplessness, hopelessness and the inability to resist the circumstances?
* Sometimes you have unreasonable fears about the health of your child? Do you constantly worry that something goes wrong?
* Sometimes you have a feeling that you lose control and go mad?
* Have you ever thought about harming the child or herself?

By this test is not the key. In truth, tools for the diagnosis of postpartum depression did not exist. Even one "yes" answer indicates a potential risk of developing postpartum depression.

If you suspect a post-natal depression should immediately consult a doctor. Recognition of the disease - is the first step towards recovery.

Causes of postpartum depression

On postpartum depression has been known since ancient times. In 700 BC. e. Hippocrates is described in detail the emotional problems associated with childbirth. Unfortunately, doctors long studied this issue and even refused to recognize her. Until now, there is no consensus on the definition of postpartum depression and the classification of the disease.

The exact cause of postpartum depression is still unknown. Perhaps it is associated with significant biochemical changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The situation is aggravated social and psychological changes. All together it creates the preconditions for the development of postpartum depression.

Risk factors for postpartum depression:

* Problems in Marriage
* Lack of or lack of social support
* Heavy previous childbirth
* Depression after the previous birth
* Stress or unpleasant events during pregnancy (death of parents or close relatives, moved to a new place of residence), depression or mood swings after the previous birth.
* Depression during pregnancy
* Early discharge from hospital after childbirth
* Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in history.

Other factors also can not be discounted.

Hormonal changes. During pregnancy, levels of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone increases tenfold. After birth, the number of these hormones rapidly drops and reaches a normal level within 72 hours. Some studies have shown the relationship between the abrupt changes of hormonal background and development of postpartum depression.

Recently, scientists turned their attention to the relationship between the development of depression and the level of the hormone prolactin, which decreased during birth, but rises sharply in the first weeks after the child into the world.

In the postpartum period there was also change the level of adrenal hormones - cortisol and aldosterone. The researchers believe that there is a relationship between these changes and post-natal mood swings in women. Some scholars point to the relationship between postpartum depression and premenstrual syndrome. What more pronounced in women symptoms of PMS, the stronger the postpartum depression.

Stress. The appearance of the child to light due to the tremendous joy and excitement. No young mother before birth did not understand what the load on it will fall. In the first weeks after birth during the emotional recovery is often followed by periods of recession and emotional thoughts of their own inadequacy in the new role.

Physical fatigue, restless sleep, colic in children, social isolation after birth exacerbate the problem. By itself, none of these factors can cause depression, but the combination of mental and social factors play a big role.

Susceptibility to depression. The probability of developing postpartum depression is increased if a woman is prone to such states. Studies have shown that approximately one-third of women experiencing depression in the past, developing postpartum depression. Half the women who suffered from depression after the first birth, it is able to develop well after the birth of second and subsequent children.

Although some causes of postpartum depression has been established, researchers continue to explore its role in the occurrence of brain neurotransmitters (they directly affect the mood and depend on the hormonal background and situational factors).

How to recognize postpartum depression

Since most women after giving birth to one degree or another are experiencing depression, a serious form of the disease often goes unnoticed. By postpartum depression should be taken seriously. This is difficult (although curable) disease - such as diabetes, hypertension and other conditions requiring medical intervention.

Postpartum mood swings, from the standpoint of symptoms, conventionally divided into three groups, although their boundaries are blurred.

Postpartum depression

Tosca is different from postpartum depression that usually it takes place within a few weeks and does not lead to a crisis situation, when a woman is unable to fulfill their maternal duties. Tosca usually appears during the first week after birth and is expressed in the sense of sadness and depression, emotional instability, tearfulness and exhaustion. These sensations are usually associated with a sharp emotional downturn after an exciting stage of labor. Postpartum depression usually resolves itself and does not require special treatment.

Postpartum depression

Although emotionally unstable after birth celebrated in the majority of women, some symptoms are so severe that lead to the inability to perform daily activities. Postpartum depression can develop at any time during the first year of life, and without treatment lasts for several years.

Identify post-natal depression helps introspection. Women who experience postpartum depression often describe their condition with the following terms:

* Extreme fatigue, lethargy and tiredness
* The feeling of sadness, hopelessness and suffering
* Sleep disturbances
* Changes in appetite
* Strong emotion, fear and panic throughout the day
* The inability to solve everyday problems
* Unreasonable concern for the child
* Thoughts of harming yourself or your child

Postpartum psychosis

This is a relatively rare disease, which may occur in the first few weeks after birth. It is characterized by strong emotion, anxiety and an inability to take care of herself and the child. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate medical intervention.

Treatment of postpartum depression

The tactics of treatment depends on the type and severity of symptoms. A qualified specialist will help to cope with both light and heavy issues.

The first and most important thing to do is see a doctor who is familiar with the problems of post-natal depression. At the initial stage is also important to exclude the presence of thyroid disease and anemia.

The therapist may provide women with substantial assistance in identifying the factors that provoke depression. Perhaps an individual or family counseling, as well as contacts with support groups with women who have experienced a similar frustration.

Treatment with antidepressants and sedatives used individually and only after the doctor weigh the possible risks and benefits of medicines. In the appointment of drugs accounted for comorbidity, the selected type of feeding and side effects of medication.

There are more and more supporters that the treatment of postpartum depression should be complemented by measures of prevention. Recent studies have shown that to prevent the emotional swings in the postpartum period can do the following:

* Marked acquainted with the duties of motherhood, to get as much information on this topic.
* Enlist the support of a spouse, partner, friends and relatives. Support is urgently needed in the early days after birth.
* Establish communication with other families with young children.
* Try to take more rest and sleep, not overburden yourself chores. It is better to mitigate the usual standards for cleaning and cooking.
* Do not give up the usual interests and activities, to continue to communicate with friends and colleagues.
* Think about yourself, do not be burdened with caring for other family members and others at this time.
* Sharing concerns with her husband.
* Do not plan for serious cases (moving, changing jobs) in the period immediately after birth.
* As soon as possible to hire a responsible and experienced nanny. Ability to occasionally be out of their own affairs is very important.
* Find a good doctor for your child and do not hesitate to contact him as needed.
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