Giving birth is one of the greatest conceivable joys, literally. It is a milestone. But suddenly finding yourself on-call 24/7, giving up precious sleep and experiencing new hormonal and physiological changes can take its toll. That’s why the majority -- an estimated 80 percent of new moms -- experience some form of postpartum depression (PPD).

What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression typically hits a couple days to a week after delivery, although it can creep up at anytime within the first year of giving birth. If your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, as it does with an estimated 20 percent of moms, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

Symptoms of PPD include:

• Insomnia
• Sadness and incessant negative thoughts
• Diminished interest in once pleasurable activities
• Inability to concentrate
• Pronounced change in appetite
• Persistent anxiety or nervousness
• Pronounced irritability
• Need to withdraw socially
• Excessive guilt
• Panic or panic attacks
• Suicidal fantasies or tendencies- call your doctor, hospital or 911 immediately.

Bottom Line

The frequency, intensity, and duration of your feelings determine whether you’re depressed. Most new moms feel guilt, sadness, fear and anxious at times. If you could harm you and/or your baby, get professional medical attention and support.

What Causes PPD?

Doctors and scientists say that there's no single cause but a combination of factors including: hormones, biochemistry, environment, and genes.

Am I At Risk For PPD?

Talk to your doctor if you experience two or more risk factors:

•  Genetics may play the largest role in postpartum depression, as the greatest risk factor for PPD is a personal history of depression or a family history.
• Your pregnancy wasn't planned or was unwanted.
• Your spouse or partner is unsupportive or your otherwise having marital trouble, going through a divorce, separation or bereavement.
• You're feeling stressed by external events and issues or life changes, including financial problems, losing or stopping work, moving homes or cities.
• You had obstetric complications or your baby has health related issues.
•  You have a history of thyroid problems. (Thyroid dysfunction can predispose you to postpartum thyroid problems, which may have symptoms similar to those of PPD. Get your thyroid tested, especially if you have a family history of thyroid problems.)


Bottom Line

Because life is never easy, remember that these risk factors don't cause PPD. Women with a number of these symptoms don’t get depressed.

Won’t It Clear Up On Its Own?

No more than a broken leg will just heal itself! If left untreated PPD can result in clinical depression, which can last for years, harming both you and your baby.  Women have been told so often that there symptoms are all in their head(s) that they start to believe it. Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a sign of weakness. Societal norms make it difficult to admit to experiencing negative feelings about motherhood. But it doesn’t diminish the positive feelings you also have.  In other words, you don’t have to throw out the baby with the bathwater!

How Do I Treat PPD?

Counseling: Get diagnosed from your medical provider. Mental health professionals can help you with talk-therapy, medication and other forms of counseling. Also, family or marital therapy may be helpful.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants are often used to treat postpartum depression. There are some formulated with little risk of side effects for your baby if you’re breastfeeding.
 
Hormone therapy: Estrogen replacement may counteract the rapid drop in estrogen that emerges during childbirth, and that may ease symptoms of postpartum depression. Research on the effectiveness of hormone therapy for postpartum depression is limited.

Eastern/Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture, meditation and yoga can be incredibly beneficial. Natural herbs and medicines still have side effects so it is important to check with a doctor or herbalist before combining medicinal treatments.

Social Support: Reach out to loved ones, especially when you feel yourself withdrawing.  Having a strong social network helps reduce feeling isolated. In fact, you may find by opening up, others will too. There is a reason model/actress Brooke Shield’s book about her experience with PPD became a bestseller!

Sleep: You’re experience the greatest challenge of your life on the littlest amount of sleep? You and your partner may want to consider hiring a baby nurse, even for one night. And remember, you will be able to get a full night’s sleep regularly again sometime soon! Sounds dreamy.

Self Acceptance: You're not feeling the way you want or deserve, but in order to do so you need to take care of yourself, so use kid gloves. Once you feel better, you will be a better parent and healthier and happier person. Remember to take baby steps!

MORE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION RESOURCES ON THE WEB:

• American Psychological Association 
• National Institute of Mental Health 
• US National Library of Medicine 
• Health and Human Services 
• Postpartum Support International