Postpartum depression(PPD)
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
After delivery, 80% of new mothers have severe mood swings, known as baby blues, and 10% suffer major postpartum depression (PPD) in the first year.
According to a latest research, women who suffer from PPD shows warning signs during pregnancy; many have risk factors, such as a history of depression. There was a comment made that -”Doctors can detect the most vulnerable women early and prevent the illness before it strikes,” says lead researcher Zachary Stowe, M.D., director of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders Program at Emory University, in Atlanta.
“The women with PPD in our study all had symptoms of anxiety or depression during pregnancy,” says Dr. Stowe. However, doctors usually ignore these signs. “If a pregnant woman cries frequently, has trouble sleeping, and can’t concentrate, everyone assumes that’s typical,” he adds.
Besides talking to your doctor about any symptoms of distress that you’re experiencing now, the best way to prevent PPD is to have realistic expectations.
All new moms must adjust to having less control over their day-to-day lives, but some women find this overwhelming, which leads to anxiety and depression. Some ups and downs are inevitable, but the way you prepare for parenthood now can safeguard your well-being after the baby is born.
Beating PPD
1. Chill out and Relax.
Newborns bond better with calm mothers. New moms who spend at least 15 minutes every other day relaxing- whether by deep breathing, meditating, or soaking in the tub — cope with the stresses of motherhood better than those who don’t.
2. Sleep when your baby sleeps.
Everyone has heard the classic adage to nap when the baby naps, but too many women fail to actually heed the advice — using the downtime instead as a chance to make the bed or write thank-you notes. However, new mothers who are able to make up for lost sleep are less likely to feel depressed according to a study by Michael O’Hara, Ph.D., of The University of Iowa, in Iowa City. “You may need friends, family members, or hired help to pitch in so you can get the sleep you deserve,” says Dr. O’Hara, author of Postpartum Depression: Causes and Consequences (Springer-Verlag).
3. Exercise.
A study of more than 1,000 mothers found that those who exercised before and after the birth of their baby tended to feel better emotionally and were more social than women who didn’t. “Taking a brisk walk, getting fresh air, and enjoying nature can improve your outlook,” says Karen Rosenthal, Ph.D., a psychologist in Westport, Connecticut. Don’t push yourself to do strenuous aerobics, though; this is more about getting your blood flowing than burning calories or tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Motherhood as a career change.
“I often tell couples that parenthood is a job, but it’s not 9 to 5; it’s 24 hours a day,” says Dr. Rosenthal. Most women expect that the first few months of a new job will be stressful, but they often don’t anticipate the tensions involved with mothering a newborn.
5.Dont expect to be perfect.
Rest assured, every mom can tell you stories about having left the house with her shirt inside out or having forgotten to put a diaper on her baby after a middle-of-the-night changing. Many women with PPD are perfectionists”They feel guilty if they can’t do everything right and presume that every other mother is doing a better job,” she says. “As a result, they impose unrealistic expectations upon themselves.” Your goal is not to fulfill some notion of the ideal mother but to be a happy parent.
6. Delegate and get help.
You’ll have to delegate chores, let friends bring dinner over, and invite your sister or mother to watch the baby so you can go shopping.
7. Be open
Have a conversation with your husband in which you each list three things that frighten you about parenthood. They can be emotional concerns — such as that the two of you won’t have enough time alone — or practical anxieties about colic or breast-feeding.
8. Flexibility.
You need to be able to go with the flow. “Your morning shower and coffee may not happen until noon,” says Dr. Rosenthal. What’s more, you should realize that there will be days when taking a shower is the only thing you can check off your to-do list. Rather than panic about how chaotic your life is, try to appreciate its unpredictability — and throw away that list!
9. Participate in a new-mothers group.
“Isolation breeds anxiety,” says Sally Placksin, author of Mothering the New Mother (Newmarket Press). Just knowing that others are experiencing the same mix of joy and frustration will put your mind at ease. “It’s also helpful to find a calm, experienced friend who can not only show you how to bathe and burp the baby but who will understand how you’re feeling,” says Placksin.
10. Tell yourself that the best is yet to come.
Between hormonal swings and all the changes in your life, it will be a challenge to feel confident sometimes — especially if you assume this is supposed to be the best time of your life. Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel: Soon your baby will settle into a schedule, breast-feeding will be second nature, and your diaper bag will be stocked so you can get out of the house quickly. You have years of best times ahead; don’t convince yourself that they need to be the first weeks or months of motherhood.