Effective Natural Remedies to Cure Postpartum Depression: A Comprehensive Treatment Plan for New Moms
Did you know that around 70-80% of new mothers suffer from Postpartum depression?
Bringing up a new life in the world is a life-changing process. One time you feel all the happiness in the world, and just within a few days, you start feeling sad or panicked. This feeling of getting panicked is common and is known as postpartum depression. This feeling is common in new mothers. Now that you’ve been home with your newborn, you’re feeling an emotional turmoil. Having a newborn is nothing like what you’ve imagined it would be, and the reality of your new normal is hard to accept.
When the baby blues become worse, then it’s known as postpartum depression. It can be debilitating and is usually short-term, and there are steps that you can take to get help and get relief. Other caregivers and fathers aren’t exempt either. It is known as paternal postpartum depression, and this condition will affect new partners and fathers who have a direct role in the caregiving of a new child. But thanks to medical science, there are some treatments available to treat postpartum depression. Let’s find out more about the treatments for postpartum depression:
What is Postpartum Depression & Its Cure?
Postpartum depression is a feeling of sadness in new mothers. This feeling is common in new mothers and can be treated. In addition, new mothers can follow their hobbies like reading, writing, listening to music, and many more. Moreover, they can also pursue therapy sessions with doctors, and it is best to avoid taking antidepressants as it is not good for the mother’s and baby’s health. Sometimes, it is normal to have feelings of worry or doubt if you are a first-time parent.
Furthermore, if you suffer extreme loneliness, frequent mood swings, or crying spells, you can suffer postpartum depression. It doesn’t just affect the birthing person, but it also affects surrogates and adoptive parents. Some people also experience hormonal, emotional, physical, and social changes just after giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, you should know that you are not alone, and it’s not your fault, and that help is out there. Your therapist will let you manage the symptoms and help you feel better.
The Baby Blues
New moms will get the baby blues. These hormonal changes can cause crying, anxiety, and restlessness that go away within the first two weeks after giving birth. This is also called postpartum blues, and the baby blues are a mild form of depression that goes away once the hormone levels out. Every new mother experiences these postpartum blues, and you will feel happy in one minute and overwhelmed in the next. However, consuming a proper diet along with supplements will let you reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
Postpartum psychosis is a worse form of postpartum depression and needs medical attention.
The symptoms usually occur rapidly after delivery and are severe, lasting for a few weeks to several months. Symptoms also include confusion, agitation, feelings of hopelessness, and hallucinations. This psychosis needs immediate medical attention as there is a risk of harm to the baby. It may begin to see, hear, and believe things that are not true. This effect can be dangerous for the baby and mother, too.
Furthermore, the symptoms of postpartum psychosis are the same as those of bipolar and manic episodes that usually begin with the inability to feel fatigued.
How Common is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is common among new mothers, and it occurs in between 6.5% and 20% of people who give birth who will have depression symptoms. Additionally, even more pregnant people have another perinatal mood.
Types of Postpartum Depression (PPD) Postpartum depression is characterized by anxiety, sadness, and chronic fatigue. Moreover, it has a variety of symptoms that may be long-term or short-term, acute or chronic. For that reason, the medical community has divided postpartum mood disorders into several categories. Postpartum blues occur within a few weeks of delivery, which usually lasts a few days. Within two weeks, they go away completely. They are also considered normal and not serious for postpartum people.
Trouble sleeping
Mood swings
Feeling terrible and anxious
Crying
The event of postpartum brings various medical and emotional conditions with it. One such problem that is associated with this is depression, which women commonly experience after they give birth, and sometimes this condition is known to be the birth blues. The level of hormones in your body fluctuates a lot as soon as you are in labour or after the delivery of the baby. Moreover, these hormonal fluctuations will lead you to trigger certain issues such as mood swings, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and other problems that are associated with the condition. When these issues do not go away after two weeks, then you most certainly conclude that you are suffering from the medical condition of postpartum depression.
This condition of PPD is common. Almost one woman out of every seven women suffers from this issue after they give birth to their baby, and the condition of baby blues is more intense or severe when it is in the starting stage, and you ought to experience several emotional traumas.
Postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the result of a traumatic birth, like painful labour, a long or emergency, or a problematic delivery. It can also be formed after other types of trauma like:
Fear of the baby getting affected by any life-threatening disease.
Life-threatening situations
These symptoms of postnatal PTSD are re-experiencing aspects of traumatic events that can occur at any time, in addition to these symptoms of postnatal depression. It is crucial to talk to someone about how you are feeling, or a health visitor will be able to help you. If you are worried about discussing it with the health professional, then do consider your close friend or your family member to come and support you. There are effective treatments for treating Postpartum Depression that are available, like cognitive behavioural therapy and medicines.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Many symptoms of postpartum depression can vary but typically include feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and sadness. Moreover, women with postpartum depression will have trouble eating or sleeping and may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy and experience restlessness. In some cases, postpartum depression will lead to thoughts of self-harm. Some women also thought of harming their baby or themselves. However, it is crucial to note that these symptoms are a sign of postpartum depression and do not reflect the women’s intention.
How can postpartum depression be diagnosed?
Sometimes, it can be difficult to diagnose that the new mother is suffering from the cause, and sometimes, it can be easy to diagnose as the mother herself tells about her feelings and thoughts to help determine if you have a short-term case of postpartum baby blues or a more severe form of depression. You can also share your symptoms with your healthcare provider so that you and your provider will create a useful treatment plan.
How to Treat Postpartum Depression?
If you are experiencing any symptoms of postpartum depression, then it is crucial to take help. Treatment for postpartum depression will include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes like social support and exercise. Discussing with a therapist will provide a safe space to explore your feelings and develop coping tactics. If the symptoms are worsened, then it will help to reduce stress and anxiety. Lifestyle changes like social support and exercise will help in managing symptoms.
1) Coping with Postpartum Depression
Coping with postpartum depression can be tough and have an isolating experience.
2) Connect with Others
Joining a support group with new mothers will be a valuable source of emotional support. It can give normalcy and validation, as many women experience postpartum depression.
3) Prioritize Self-Care
It is easy to neglect your requirements when caring for a newborn, but taking time for yourself is crucial for managing symptoms of depression. It will include taking a relaxing bath, meditating, or spending time with friends.
4) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a helpful tool for handling depression and anxiety. This includes paying attention to the present moment without any judgment and can be practised through meditation or other mindfulness exercises.
5) Take professional help
It is crucial to seek medical help if the symptoms become severe. A therapist will help in giving a suitable treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
What are the causes of Postpartum Depression?
There are several reasons for the cause of PPD. It can occur to any woman at this phase after having a baby. Genes are the parts of your body cells that store instructions for the way your body works and grows. Furthermore, they are passed to the children, and depression is common in people with a family history of depression. During pregnancy, your body has higher levels of hormones progesterone and estrogen, and after 24 hours, these hormones will rapidly go back to normal levels.
Wrapping It Up
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey. Your mind and body go through many changes during pregnancy. Prioritizing your mental health will not only benefit you but also make your bond stronger with your baby. Sometimes, you can feel anxious, sad, overwhelmed or feel like you don’t care for your baby and these feelings you may have reflect the symptoms of postpartum depression. This depression can be treated with the right medical help and therapies. Moreover, several therapies are available for treating depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How to Cure Postpartum Depression?
There are many ways through which you can cure postpartum depression such as talking to the partner, taking therapy sessions, and by antidepressants prescribed by your health advisor, you can cure Postpartum Depression.
2) How do we distinguish between Depression and Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is more severe than the other types of depression as it is mainly caused by hormonal changes and several different factors.
3) How does Postpartum Depression last?
Postpartum Depression can last till one year after your child is born. Moreover, this should not mean you should feel cured in one year. You can also discuss it with your healthcare provider about it.
4) Can Postpartum Depression affect my baby?
Yes, Postpartum Depression will affect your baby. Getting treatment is vital for both you and your baby.
5) Can Postpartum depression be prevented?
Postpartum Depression is not entirely preventable. However, it helps to know the warning signs of the conditions and what factors increase your risk.
6) Can dads get postpartum depression?
Yes, both partners will have symptoms of Postpartum depression. Your partner and you need to seek medical attention if you have signs of anxiety or depression after bringing your baby home.
