How to manage Postpartum Depression

Table of Contents -

• Its alright if you don’t Bond with your baby instantly
• What is PPD
• Signs of PPD
• Causes of PPD
• PPD management and care

Its alright if you don’t Bond with your baby instantly

There is soft music playing in the background, the camera focuses on the happy new parents cuddling their new born in the hospital room with roses in the backdrop. Well reality, is not quite as perfect! After going through tormenting hours of labour, and then the long painful hours of a normal delivery or a C-section, epidural or no epidural and finally after all the trauma when the baby arrives, its nothing like a scene out of a movie.! Your body is going through so many changes, your in pain, your physically and emotionally drained out, and your depressed! You might not connect with your baby instantly, but that’s alright its completely normal. According to a recent study, one in three mothers experience difficulty in bonding with their baby immediately and are embarrassed to admit it to their healthcare professionals.

What is PPD

A new study shows that one in seven women may experience PPD during the first year after delivery. PPD is when mothers experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, mood swings, fear and exhaustion after delivery. Mother experience a very emotional state of mind and can cry at the drop of a hat. PPD can last for up to six months after delivery. It is very important to maintain a healthy state of mind but accepting it and not to feel guilty about experiencing depression.

Some Signs of PPD

• Excessive crying for long periods without any particular reason
• Feelings of loneliness
• Mood swings
• Irritable
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Anger and frustration
• Not bonding with the baby immediately after birth

Causes of PPD

Experts say that there are many factors that lead to PPD. The multiple changes that occur in a women’s life after delivering a baby, can lead to it. There are many rapid hormonal changes that occur after giving birth which could also be associated with depressive behaviour. Sleep deprivation, baby blues, feeling of anxiety for taking care of the new-born. Feeling of being less attractive because of the pregnancy weight can add to the depression. Once the baby arrives all the focus and attention suddenly shifts from the mother to the child, this also leads to feelings of loneliness in the mother, because even the mother after delivery require attention and care.

PPD management and care

If you are anxious to venture into the new world of motherhood and you feel you don't know how to take care of your child, relax, your not alone in this. Many new mother feel the same way. You are genetically programmed to sync with your baby and understand his/her needs, just always follow your gut instincts and you will do just fine. If your feeling overwhelmed by all the baby work and new responsibilities don't be afraid to ask other family members for help.

If your crying excessive and experiencing mood swings, discuss this with your partner and other family member also. Let them know that your experiencing depression, try to communicate your feeling well. Your partner will also support you and help you through this so you don't feel alone. In India, people generally stay with their parents, so don't be afraid to share your feeling with your in-laws.

For going through PPD, you want to be with the one ultimate person, who completely understands you and always takes care of you like no other – your mother! In India, in some cultures the mother and new born child have to go to the in-laws house as tradition calls for it. But this vulnerable time is very important for a mother. So the husbands and in-laws should understand and break away from these age old traditions to be more supportive of their wife and daughter-in-law.

PPD can come in the way of bonding with your baby, so try to do many bonding activities with your baby. There initial months of the baby are very precious and rare so cherish the moments and enjoy your time with your baby.

Take care of yourself, eat healthy meals and try to sleep well. For a few nights ask other family members also to help at night. Try to do some breathing exercises and meditation to relax the mind.

What worked for me is that my gynaecologist told me that ‘if 23 hours are with the baby, one hour is just for you’ Because new mothers always forget to remove time for themselves. But this one hour will mentally and physically energize you to sail through the other 23 hours in the day with your baby!