Low Mood - MomsOverMatter

Low Mood After Having A Baby

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What is Postpartum Depression?

5 Important Facts About Postpartum Depression (PPD)

PPD is one of the most common childbirth complications, affecting 1 in 5 women.
PPD can increase the risk of future depressive episodes, which can lead to long-term cognitive impairment, as well as emotional and behavioural problems.
PPD can reduce a woman’s ability to effectively fulfill her maternal role, impacting her bond with the baby.
PPD can cause emotion regulation problems in infants, which increase the risk of psychiatric problems later in life.
PPD can adversely affects parent-infant relationships and increases the risk of mental health issues in partners.

While up to 75% of new moms experience the postpartum “baby blues” after childbirth (briefer mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, insomnia) for up to two weeks, these symptoms do not last most of the day every day, or for more than two weeks.

However, some mothers will experience more persistent and severe symptoms that cause substantial distress, are present most of the day every day, and last for two weeks or more.

Such difficulties are referred to as PPD and can occur anytime during pregnancy or up to one year after childbirth/adoption. These symptoms require treatment, and if left untreated can negatively impact the mother, baby, and family. On the following pages, we outline some steps women can take to begin their journey to recovery from PPD. These are based on evidence from clinical research studies from around the world.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Signs and symptoms of PPD may include:

Depressed mood
Feeling that you’re not a good mother or guilt that you’re doing a terrible job
Difficulty bonding with baby
Reduced interest/pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Anxiety
Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping way more than usual (hypersomnia)
Loss of appetite or eating a lot more than usual
Irritability/anger
Trouble concentrating and/or make decisions
Social withdrawal

You can overcome PPD. International treatment guidelines suggest that most women with PPD should start with lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise/nutrition, using your supports). If these are not effective then formal psychotherapies should be tried, and then medications if psychotherapy is not effective or is not available. Click through to see what you can do to recover and reclaim your life.

Possible Negative Effects of Postpartum Depression

Moms:

Increased risk of developing depression again in the future
Poorer mother-infant attachment
Reduced likelihood of returning to work after baby
Less breastfeeding
Mores struggles with parenting

Offspring:

More behavioural problems (like ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and oppositional defiant disorder
Higher rates of depression and anxiety
Poorer grades in school

Partners:

Higher rates of PPD
More separation and divorce
Poorer work performance

The good news is that you can overcome postpartum depression! International treatment guidelines suggest that most women with PPD should start their journey to recovery with lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise/nutrition, improving sleep, using supports) or low-intensity psychotherapy or computerized self-help (including apps like MomsInMind). If these are not effective, then formal psychotherapies should be tried, and then medications can be considered (if psychotherapy is not effective or is not available).

Click through to see the steps that you can take to recover and reclaim your life.