Why do women get postpartum depression?
There are many causes. Hormone levels change during pregnancy and right after childbirth. Those hormone changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that play a part in causing depression. Low thyroid functioning is very common in women after childbirth. The baby’s thyroid can produce antibodies against the mother’s thyroid causing hypothyroidism. This may be one of the chief causes of postpartum depression and weight gain. Long chain polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to depressive symptoms in alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and postpartum depression. Adequate long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may reduce the incidence of depression just as omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease. In studying 20 healthy primiparous women (women bearing their first child) without significant health or psychiatric problems, a significant connection between reduced serum cholesterol levels and depre
Having a baby can be one of the biggest and happiest events in a woman’s life. While life with a new baby can be thrilling and rewarding, it can also be hard and stressful at times. Many physical and emotional changes can happen to a woman when she is pregnant and after she gives birth. These changes can leave new mothers feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused. For many women, these feelings (called the baby blues) go away quickly. But when these feelings do not go away or get worse, a woman may have postpartum depression. This is a serious condition that requires quick treatment from a health care provider. What is postpartum depression? Are the “baby blues” the same thing as postpartum depression? Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many mothers can have after having a baby. PPD can be treated with medication and counseling. Talk with your health care provider right away if you think you have PPD. There are three
Having a baby can be one of the biggest and happiest events in a woman’s life. While life with a new baby can be thrilling and rewarding, it can also be hard and stressful at times. Many physical and emotional changes can happen to a woman when she is pregnant and after she gives birth. These changes can leave new mothers feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused. For many women, these feelings (called the baby blues) go away quickly. But when these feelings do not go away or get worse, a woman may have postpartum depression. This is a serious condition that requires quick treatment from a health care provider.
How long does postpartum depression last? What kinds of treatments help with postpartum depression? If I’m breast feeding, can I take an antidepressant? What can I do to help myself? Postpartum Depression and the ‘Baby Blues’ Printer-friendly version Email this article Spanish / Español Are mood changes common after childbirth? After having a baby, many women have mood swings. One minute they feel happy, the next minute they start to cry. They may feel a little depressed, have a hard time concentrating, lose their appetite or find that they can’t sleep well even when the baby is asleep. These symptoms usually start about 3 to 4 days after delivery and may last several days. If you’re a new mother and have any of these symptoms, you have what are called the “baby blues.” “The blues” are considered a normal part of early motherhood and usually go away within 10 days after delivery. However, some women have worse symptoms or symptoms last longer. This is called “postpartum depression.” Re
