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The birth of a child is one of the most exciting and beautiful moments in a family’s life.
You start looking forward to the new member of the family well in advance and get very excited as the due date approaches.
In the weeks leading up to the birth, the nursery is often prepared and parents-to-be don’t get a chance to think about all the tasks and things to do.
It is always assumed that women revel in maternal bliss after giving birth.
But what happens when these feelings fail to materialize?
Dejection, exhaustion and sadness can occur after a birth.
In such a case, we speak of postnatal depression (postpartum depression).
We at PAULI&CO have looked into this topic and would like to give you the most important insights.
That will definitely not happen to me!
That’s probably what many expectant mothers think.
However, the statistics on the frequency of postpartum depression are different.
According to the Health Knowledge Foundation, the figures vary.
On average, however, it is assumed that around eight percent of every 100 women suffer from postpartum depression.
In the case of postpartum depression, the mother’s negative feelings predominate after the birth, so that the typical feeling of happiness no longer arises.
These developments cannot be compared with the baby blues, as they lead to a depressive mood.
These feelings are weaker than in depression.
Postpartum depression can be associated with feelings of shame and guilt for the women affected because they often develop the feeling that they cannot be a good mother.
However, the illness is not self-inflicted.
As a partner, it is important for you to reach out to your partner at this time and show understanding.
How can you or those around you recognize postpartum depression?
The signs are similar to normal depression, but can vary in severity from person to person.
Most women report feeling extremely low and sad.
Anxiety and hopelessness can also be mixed in.
Sometimes women are also extremely irritable and overwhelmed during this phase, so that they feel they are not doing their child justice.
Depression can have many symptoms.
Enormous self-doubt and anxiety also play a role.
Postpartum depression is not easy to recognize.
Especially at the beginning, fatigue and excessive demands can also occur in mentally healthy people.
These two terms are very often confused.
However, there are clear differences that we would like to explain to you so that you don’t draw the wrong conclusions.
Around one in two mothers experience a drop in mood in the first few days after giving birth.
Some mothers feel overwhelmed, overtired and exhausted.
These feelings are completely normal, as giving birth always brings change.
This is known as the baby blues, which ideally disappears after a good two weeks.
If these symptoms last longer and become more frequent or more intense, then postpartum depression can be assumed.
In this case, you should take action, because postpartum depression is a burden for those affected.
Science and medicine are not yet in complete agreement as to how exactly postpartum depression can develop.
The current state of knowledge is that it is not just one trigger, but that various factors play a role.
In addition to the hormonal changes that a birth brings with it, genetic predispositions can also be an issue.
There are also external influences that can also contribute to postpartum depression.
Especially shortly after pregnancy, when you are at home with your new family member, everyday life and caring for your child often collide.
Many children seek intensive contact with their parents, so you may sometimes have the feeling that your child is clinging to you.
It feels like you can’t do anything else but carry your baby around or calm them down.
For these moments, get yourself an aid such as an electric bassinet.
You can read about the advantages of the spring cradle in our blog.
If postpartum depression is suspected, only a doctor can make a full diagnosis.
A detailed discussion and the completion of an appropriate questionnaire will quickly provide certainty.
The questionnaire contains information that relates specifically to feelings during depression, so that signs can be recognized quite quickly.
If you have the feeling that you are suffering from postpartum depression, you should not put off going to the doctor for too long.
Often those affected cannot go it alone, which is why it is helpful to have your partner by your side.
Where can you get help?
Midwives or gynecologists take care of preventive and follow-up care in the first few weeks after the birth.
They can be a first port of call.
Postpartum depression can be treated in different ways.
Psychotherapy methods or medication are available.
The aim of therapy and treatment is for the symptoms to disappear completely or at least be alleviated.
Those affected should be given the opportunity to cope with everyday life normally again.
Anyone who opts for drug treatment will be prescribed antidepressants by their doctor.
These are intended to compensate for the lack of neurotransmitters in the brain (dopamine, serotonin), which supposedly results in a better sense of well-being.
The doctor decides whether antidepressants can be taken while breastfeeding.
It is generally assumed that some of the active ingredients can be passed on to the child through breast milk.
Alternatively, you can resort to various forms of therapy:
Both forms of treatment are treated in psychotherapy.
In order to see a psychologist, you need a referral, which you can obtain from your family doctor or gynecologist.
Tip: What else can you do to treat postpartum depression?
Doctors recommend sport and exercise.
Exercise can release serotonin in the body, which can help combat depression.
If it is severe, this will not be enough, but it can help.
Exercise at home also helps.
Your child can sleep blissfully in the electric cradle during the yoga session or the light sports program, while you as mothers devote yourselves to your state of health.
