Postnatal Depression (PND)

After your baby’s birth there may come days when you feel teary and emotional and can’t work out why. You’d be experiencing the baby blues, this usually only lasts a few days. However some women experience real depression after giving birth. You need to know what you are dealing with and get the appropriate treatment.

Postnatal Depression (PND) can be treated successfully – the sooner you get help the sooner you will feel better and be able to enjoy life and your new baby.
There are different degrees of postnatal emotional problems.
The baby blues are quite common and can start between the 3rd and 14th day after birth.

Symptoms include lack of sleep, no energy, appetite changes, anxiety, confusion, a lack of confidence, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, crying more than usual, being hyperactive, oversensitive or irritable and not feeling much for your baby.
This is caused by the drop off in hormones, but should pass quickly if you eat healthy and get enough sleep.

Postnatal depression can start at any time during the first year after birth. Mental states include feelings of despondency, inadequacy, hopelessness, impaired concentration, loss of normal interests and interest in sex, thoughts of suicide, bizarre thoughts and guilt. Reactions can include panic attacks, extreme behavior, avoiding people, hallucinations, nightmares, anger towards your baby and feeling out of control. Consulting an expert is essential and medication often helps.

You may wonder why this happens:
The causes of PND include hormonal imbalances, unrealistic expectations, plain old lack of sleep and stress. Lack of financial, social and emotional support, any recent major loss or change and even an unplanned pregnancy can contribute to PND. PND is a complex condition caused by an interplay of previous life traumas, a predisposition to biochemical imbalances, hormonal shifts after pregnancy and the mom’s coping mechanisms.

Each issue has to be addressed when seeking a cure. Though some women respond to supportive therapy alone, other moms will need a combination of supportive therapy and medication.
PND can happen in moms with low folic acid an iron levels, both is very important during pregnancy. Sugar and stimulants should be avoided as this can give you a quick high by stimulating neurotransmitter release.

Another nutrient is the amino acid tryptophan that keeps your serotonin topped up. This can be found in fish, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, avocado’s, bananas and wheat germ. Other safe mood enhancers include omega 3 fats, B vitamins, Vitamin C and Zinc.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

• The mom feels alone and that her emotions are ignored.


• Lack of support structures and lack of adult conversation and mental stimulation.


• Loss of freedom, independence, control, identity and body image.


• A difficult relationship with one’s own mother and a history of depression.


• Failing relationship.


• Traumatic birth experience such as emergency Caesar .


• A mom who battles with breastfeeding may fee less of a women.


• Miscarriage or stillbirth.


• Some babies are more difficult than others. They may have a difficult temperament, be colicky or ill.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

PND can start during pregnancy, by being alert to the symptoms and catch it before it gets out of control-

1. Face up to your feelings. Expressing motions such as grief, anger and guilt is enormously helpful. Read parenting books and talk to other moms so that you feel prepared for motherhood.


2. Ensure you have a comprehensive support network for you emotional, self-esteem, practical, educational and social needs.


3. Eat healthy, get enough sleep and cut down on your work and social commitments.


4. Mild depression may respond to alternative treatments but severe depression needs scheduled medication and counseling.


5. It’s better to get help as soon as you can. The symptoms of PND can be frightening and often women deny that they are depressed. Depression can be cured, don’t hop symptoms will disappear on its own.


6. Perfectionists, women who suffer severely from premenstrual symptoms, women who has suffered from antenatal or postnatal depression before and anxious individuals are at risk of PND.

SYMPTOMS OF PND:

1. Anger
2. Appetite loss or gain
3. Weight loss or gain
4. Disturbed sleep
5. Lack of self-esteem and joy
6. Reduced sex drive
7. Poor energy and concentration
8. Obsessive behavior over you own health and the health of your baby
9. Frightening recurrent thoughts of self-harm, suicide or death
10. Feeling depressed or anxious
11. Mood swings
12. Headaches, restlessness, nausea, chest pains, heart palpitations, numbness, hyperventilation and panic attacks.
13. Psychotic symptoms (in severe cases of PND)