Healthbeautyidea.com – Postpartum depression is a depression that occurs after childbirth. This is due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain and is experienced by 10% of mothers who give birth.
Some consider postpartum depression to be the same as the baby blues, but that assumption is not true. Baby blues is a change in emotion (mood swing) that generally causes the mother to cry constantly, anxiously, to sleep for several days to 2 weeks after the baby is born.
Meanwhile, postpartum depression is a more severe condition compared to baby blues. Postpartum depression makes sufferers feel hopeless, feel not being a good mother, until they do not want to take care of children.
Postpartum depression is not only experienced by the mother, but can also be experienced by the father. Postpartum depression in fathers occurs most often 3-6 months after the baby is born. A father is more susceptible to postpartum depression when his wife also suffers from the condition.
Postpartum Depression Definition
Postpartum depression is a condition in which a mother feels sadness, guilt, and other common forms of depression over a long period of time after childbirth.
This is often due to the birth of the baby itself. The birth of a baby can provide a strong emotional and emotional boost, from pleasure and happiness to fear. This surge of emotions from happiness to sadness and fear plays a role in the occurrence of postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression Risk Factor
Postpartum depression is common in first-time mothers with children. However, it does not close the possibility of occurring in the next child. The following risk factors can increase the risk of postpartum depression, namely:
- Previous history of depressive disorder.
- History of bipolar disorder.
- History of postpartum depression in previous pregnancies.
- Experiencing severe events in the past year that interfere with emotions and psychics.
- Babies have special needs or special circumstances.
- Twins, or triplet pregnancies that need more attention.
- Difficulty in breastfeeding.
- Have problems with your partner.
- Financial problems in the lead-up to childbirth.
- Unwanted or unplanned pregnancy.
Postpartum Depression Causes
The cause of postpartum depression is not yet known for certain. However, a mother can develop postpartum depression either due to biological changes in the body and psychological factors.
Biological factors are related to hormonal changes. While the cause of postpartum depression from psychological factors can be related to the lack of support received, feeling lonely and living alone, to marital conflict.
Biological factors
Postpartum depression can be caused by dropping levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body. The decrease in both hormones triggers chemical changes in scrambled that trigger mood swings.
A few weeks after giving birth, the mother also did not get enough time to rest because she had to babysit. Lack of rest can lead to fatigue, which both physically and emotionally can trigger postpartum depression.
Psychological factors
Psychological factors that can cause depression usually come from yourself as well as those closest to you. The pressure that comes from friends, family, or even a partner in taking care of the baby, to comments about the physical appearance of the mother after childbirth, can trigger stress that can then develop into postpartum depression.
Because, these comments, which generally tend to question the ability of new mothers, can increase the risk of depression after childbirth.
Therefore, instead of commenting on the way the mother takes care of her child, give her the support she needs. If support is not provided, then the appearance of depression, will be difficult to prevent.
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Similar to baby blues and postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression also has varied symptoms.
If postpartum baby blues are not treated appropriately, it can turn into postpartum depression.
Generally, the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to the baby blues.
However, symptoms of postpartum depression are usually more intense and last longer.
This certainly interferes with your routine in caring for the baby and other daily activities.
Symptoms of postpartum depression usually appear within the first few weeks after childbirth and last up to 6 months after delivery.
The various symptoms of postpartum depression are as follows:
- Depression or serious mood swings
- Difficulty caring for the baby
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Often crying suddenly
- Feeling very tired
- Decreased passion or interest in activities you usually like
- Very irritable
- Feeling like you haven’t been a good mother
- Ability to think clearly, concentrate, or make decisions
- Severe anxiety
- Easy panic
- Trying to hurt yourself or your baby
- Feeling worthless and hopeless.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is recommended to see a doctor immediately. Postpartum depression is not something that can be ignored.
These symptoms can appear after childbirth or a few months later.
The mother may experience these symptoms during treatment after normal childbirth or post-caesarean section.
Mothers who undergo normal childbirth can perform perineal wound treatment, while mothers who perform caesarean sections undergo SC (caesarean) wound treatment.
