The first few weeks after giving birth are considered a precious time for new mothers to bond with their baby. However, this is also a time when the mother’s health is delicate and requires proper care for her physical, emotional and mental health. Failure to do so may lead to complications, especially the development of postpartum depression.
Mental health issues affect around 20% of mothers in India, and here’s everything you need to know about the condition, along with advice from experts on how to deal with it.
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What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that many new mothers suffer from, but it’s rarely diagnosed and treated. Most women experience anxiety and depression after giving birth and believe it is part of the process. it’s not. Postnatal depression is a dangerous global disease, estimated to affect 1 in 7 women worldwide, while in India the figure rises to 1 in 5 women. approaching people.
The complex mix of emotional, physical, and behavioral changes that occur after giving birth can leave you feeling physically debilitated and emotionally distraught. Often confused with “baby blues”.
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“Baby blues is a temporary condition that lasts 4-6 weeks and affects 70-80% of new mothers. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, unexplained tears, mood swings, and impatience. Baby blues gradually fade within days to weeks. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, lasts for more than a month. It depletes the mother’s physical and mental strength, and can cause stress between mother and child. Both require medical intervention for their well-being,” explains Swati Sule, a Mumbai-based clinical hypnotherapist and transpersonal regression therapist. She is a social community platform exclusively for women called “coto”.
Interestingly, mothers are not the only ones who suffer from mild to severe symptoms of this depression. New fathers can also try it out. Soule says, “Research shows that even new fathers can experience postpartum symptoms, such as fatigue and changes in eating and sleeping patterns. People with a history of depression People who face financial hardship may also be more susceptible to postpartum depression.”
Symptoms of postpartum depression
Because the birth of a newborn is such a big change in a couple’s life, signs of postpartum depression often go unnoticed or are dismissed as “normal” behavior. However, there are some clear signs that your mother is suffering from depression.
Soule said symptoms include deep sadness, sleep disturbances, indifference to the baby, feelings of helplessness and even anxiety disorders. New mothers experiencing this condition tend to have a lot of negative thoughts, such as “I’m not good enough for my baby,” or “I can’t handle this new stage,” and also, “Life is not good enough for me.” They also tend to have dangerous thoughts such as “I’m worthless.” I’m already alive. ‘If these symptoms persist for more than 4 to 6 weeks, it’s time to consult a doctor because the mother officially has postpartum depression. If she is not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner, she may develop complications such as self-harm and harm to the newborn.
“The problem can become more severe if you continue to endure mood swings and depression for more than two weeks after giving birth. If a new mother feels empty, emotionless, or sad all or most of the time, “If you experience it for more than four weeks, you may have postpartum depression,” observes Dr. Madhuri Bhatt, a homeopath and clinical hypnotherapist who runs a community called Healing and Homeopathy. By this.
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Treatment of postpartum depression
Although it is a serious illness, if diagnosed at the right time, it is possible to overcome postpartum depression with medication, good physical habits, and a strong support group.
555 Postpartum rules
The Postpartum 555 Rule is an effective first step to recovering from a depressive episode. “The postpartum period, also known as the puerperium or the fourth trimester, is the time after childbirth when the mother’s body experiences pregnancy-related changes. “The rules set out a simple formula of ‘5 days in bed, 5 days in bed, 5 days around bed,’ giving you 15 days of complete rest after giving birth,” Bhatt said. explain. She says this rule helps reduce the risk of postpartum injuries.
good nutrition
Nutrition plays a vital role in nurturing a new mother’s body from the inside out. Bhatt says, “Women can experience complex emotions and mood swings due to lack of sleep, changing hormone levels, lack of self-care, etc.” You need to increase your intake and drink lots of water.”
ask for help
Motherhood is not a bed of roses. It comes with many challenges, both physical and mental. At times like these, it is important to ask friends and family for help. Ms Bhatt says: “A new mother shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from her family and friends. Let your children know how they can provide all kinds of support, such as preparing meals, helping with laundry, doing housework, babysitting siblings, etc. Please let me know.”
In fact, as more and more cases of this mental health condition come to light, many support organizations are actively working to provide new mothers with all the guidance they need. Snugbub is a professional 1:1 WhatsApp support network based in Bangalore that connects people with experts, offering his 24/7 guidance through posts and videos on postnatal depression . #postpartumsupportindia is another support group by mothers for mothers on Instagram. There are many such communities that you can connect to for the guidance you need.
Treatment
Today, apart from conventional medicine, we have access to a variety of therapeutic approaches that recognize the deep connection between mind and body. If the expectant mother has experienced a previous abortion or trauma during pregnancy, or if either of the prospective parents has experienced childhood or recent trauma, or has experienced significant relationship problems. If you are, it is highly recommended that you heal these emotional issues before planning your birth.
Soule advocates maintaining a consistent physical training routine based on practices such as yoga and breathing techniques. “This will give her some much-needed ‘me time’ and calm her mind,” she says. Start with short walks and basic stretches. pranayama in your daily life. In addition to this, spend time doing activities you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, catching up with friends, or going for a quick coffee with your partner.
Remember, if the mother is happy, the baby will be happy too. But just as you are responsible for your baby, you are also responsible for yourself.
Shweta Dravid is a self-proclaimed explorer who writes about travel, health, wellness, mindfulness, and the truth of life.
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