Postpartum Depression
By Susan Adams, M. Ed.
9/20/09
This article is an original
for MES and will post with you and on my web site.
Objective: The objective of
this article is to help women identify their risk factors for
Postpartum depression before its onset, during pregnancy and to
suggest some ways to offset it.
Summary: The most common
time for postpartum Depression to set in is after the l last
regular clinical office visit with the obstetrician which is the
six-week exam.
The most practical way to
help women is to identify who is more likely to develop a
Postpartum Depression and to suggest some remedies BEFORE
onset. This article is aimed at doing that.
The signs that Postpartum
Depression may occur may first be looked for in sleeplessness
accompanied by depression. Many women experience fatigue and
ambivalence in the early months of pregnancy. They may show
fears and nightmares in the middle months, and impatience and
body aches in the later months. This latter makes sleeping
difficult. So, being awake, possibly, at three in the morning,
she worries abut the baby who is growing in her womb and her
changing life.
Most women think of the above
discomforts as Minor and transient. However, others develop
some level of depression. They call their doctor with aches and
pains and make increased visits to the office with complaints of
nausea, pelvic pain, lack of sleep, or may just come in
exhausted and tearful. Women with depression in pregnancy are
especially likely to develop postpartum depression.
Another place to look is at women
with a history of depression or treatment with tranquilizers.
Also, women with a family history of this disturbance.
Family problems are at issue as
well. Women with relationship problems with a mother or other
family problems are at risk. Needless to say, marital problems
make a big risk.
Women who have had previous
pregnancy problems constitute a risk. Those who have struggled
with infertility may develop postpartum depression. Many
infertility clinics include counseling as a part of their
treatment. Other issues may be a prior stillborn birth, late or
frequent miscarriages, and babies born with health problems.
Then there are the women with
careers. They live by their appointment books and may have
significant problems with the unpredictable nature of pregnancy,
labor, and the management of newborn babies.
Survivors of abusive families are
also at risk. These women did not have adequate care and
protection--they are often still children themselves and not
prepared for the caretaking and emotional output that a newborn
needs. If you couple this history with the rather large
possibility that such a woman also has marital problems and
other relational problems due to emotional underdevelopment, you
have a pretty good recipe for postpartum depression and possible
child abuse as well.
What can be done for these women?
First, identify a supportive person in the community to
help you plan ahead for the period when the postpartum
depression is likely to set in. If you cannot find such a
person, find a good therapist who deals with family
relationships and pregnancy issues to help. Don't try to go
this alone.
Spending a half hour daily
exercising is important. Do a form of Yoga and think about the
upcoming birth, your hopes for the baby and how realistic they
are. Think about fears of labor and plans for family
adjustments after the baby is born and have someone with whom
you can discuss these.
Remember, that proper exercise
promotes a state of well-being, keeps blood sugar at good
levels, improves circulation, aids digestive issues, and
promotes good sleep.
Eat properly. The best idea is to
eat 6 small meals a day that are high in protein and
carbohydrates. Take regular rest periods and get enough sleep.
If sleeping is a problem consult your doctor. One aid to sleep
if it is a problem is to do something boring or that you dislike
before bed.
Develop a support system like a
mother's group or a new-parent group. These may be found in
religious arenas.
If it is possible, get someone to
help you with the baby in the early weeks. Especially if you
lacked nurturing growing up and caretaking of a newborn is
overwhelming to you don't try to do this alone. If there is no
family member to help, call a religious organization for some
aid.
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