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A Joyously Dark Time - How To Deal With Postpartum And Still Enjoy Your Baby |
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Postpartum depression (PPD) is often referred to as
“baby blues” and not understood by the majority of society, many times
least of all the new mother! More than 50 percent of women who give
birth experience this form of depression in some degree. The length of
time that postpartum depression lasts can vary from a few weeks to
months or longer. A woman’s body is going through immense hormonal
changes and this may one of the factors that initiate postpartum
depression. Add to that the new mother is sleep deprived, the baby is
crying and requires what seems like non-stop attention and the normal
reasoning can be thrown right out the window. Usually the new mother’s
body rebounds, the hormones level out, the routines are figured out and
everyone is smiling and hopefully sleeping again.
However, its often seen some new mothers and even mothers with
more than one children who do not follow this pattern. During pregnancy,
they experience a severe from of postpartum depression. Along with a new
mother, mothers with children experience anxiety, insomnia and
irritability along with difficulty concentrating and a deep overwhelming
sadness that she can’t seem to explain. Gradually, this will magnify all
the other symptoms over again and the mother in a horrible cycle of
depression. Other factors that result in this form of depression include
lack of family support, possible history of depression either in herself
or other members of her family and negative experiences in her life.
Taking antidepressants will help the new mother respond well and help
balance those hormones once again.
Along with mild and moderate
forms of postpartum depression approximately one percent of women will
experience postpartum psychosis which, as its name suggests depression
with psychotic tendencies. Women who have been diagnosed with a bipolar
disorder or schizophrenia have a risk of this type of postpartum
depression. This type of postpartum depression is what most people hear
about in the news and receives the greatest attention. Women who suffer
from this form of depression are more likely to cause harm to their
children and/or themselves because they have hallucinations that their
child/children are evil in some manner and they are trying to save them.
Prompt treatment is imperative in these situations.
Coping
strategies for the new mother coping with postpartum depression:
Ask
for help in cooking, cleaning – don’t be afraid to get some help then
you can spend time with your baby.
When your baby is sleeping
don’t stay up and read you lie down also and get some much needed and
deserved rest.
Expectations that you must do everything now –
throw that out the window.
Have someone watch your baby and you
take some time for yourself or with someone special
There are
three phases for treatment of postpartum depression:
Acute – the
goal is to bring the symptoms into remission
Continuation – the
goal is to stabilize your mood and hormones, aid in recovery, and
prepare a long-term plan to prevent repeat occurrences.
Get help
as soon as feel the baby blues have lasted too long or get worse. There
is nothing to be ashamed about and treatment will help you regain
control quickly. Do what is best for you and the bond with your new
baby. The medications and resources available today have greatly
improved. Getting quick and aggressive treatment in the beginning will
bring you to a better place and then it is about maintenance.
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