Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders

It’s hard to know what’s normal during and immediately after pregnancy. You’re changing physically, emotionally, hormonally and socially. Although all women want to feel excited and happy – some women just don’t. Instead, they feel overwhelmed, sad and highly stressed. Negative feelings coming at such a happy time can be confusing and difficult to acknowledge. If you are experiencing this you are not alone. Don’t give up on yourself. You can begin to feel more positively and enjoy your pregnancy. But before that can happen, you have to admit that you need help.

Approximately one in ten new mothers suffer from postpartum depression and many of these women were depressed while pregnant. They may have felt guilty and embarrassed about having negative feelings and hoped that they would just go away. Unfortunately, depression rarely disappears without treatment.

If you've been depressed in the past, you have a 25% chance of becoming depressed while pregnant and postpartum. Having a family member with depression also increases your risk, as do stressful life experiences, relationship problems, a traumatic birth or a sick baby.

Untreated depression can affect all aspects of pregnancy and postpartum. Women who are depressed are less likely to access consistent prenatal care, may experience a loss of appetite, sleep problems or use illegal drugs or alcohol to dull their emotional pain. Afterwards, depressed moms are not as patient with their babies and are less playful and encouraging. All family and partnership relationships suffer. Untreated postpartum depression can last up to two years and have a very negative impact on family life in general.

Postpartum Blues

During the first two weeks after delivery, most women experience emotional highs and lows, called "postpartum blues," caused in part by fluctuating hormone levels. You may feel grouchy, have difficulty concentrating or sleeping, have feelings of hopelessness and fears of being a bad mom, or experience periods of crying. Although difficult and confusing, this is part of a normal reaction/adjustment to having a baby.

Talking to family, friends or other new mothers, taking time to care for yourself and getting more rest and help with childcare can help to put the “blues” behind you.

If your condition continues past two weeks - or worsens - you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a serious condition. Without treatment, it can continue for over a year and may interfere with your ability to parent effectively. Signs of postpartum depression may include:
· Anxiety or panic attacks; strange or negative thoughts/images
· Not feeling close to your baby
· Feeling anxious all the time, or that you are a “bad mother” or are “not doing things right”
· Difficulty sleeping or eating
· Isolating yourself from friends and family; difficulty getting through the day
· Feeling angry, guilty, irritable, sad or overwhelmed much of the time
· Thoughts of harming yourself or baby or that everyone would be better off without you
· “I just don’t feel like myself”

Treatment

Depression during and after pregnancy is a common, treatable condition but it will probably not go away by itself. Seeking treatment for depression/anxiety is critical to the health of you and your baby. Treatment may include medication, individual therapy, support groups or a combination of these approaches. It is up to you.

If you're taking an anti-depressant when you become pregnant, don't stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor or midwife or mental health advisor. Many medications can be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Discontinuing your medication may cause your depression to come back, putting you at increased risk for postpartum depression.

Above all, take this seriously. You matter!