If you or your relatives have had postpartum changes, you may be worried that these conditions could be dangerous for both mother and baby. This condition is different from what is commonly known as “baby blues”. We recommend to read this article about “Best treatment for postpartum depression”
Some postpartum mothers may feel a little uncomfortable. Hormonal changes as well as accepting a new responsibility can cause a slight feeling of discomfort and worry and fatigue. Eighty percent of mothers within one to two weeks after delivery experience conditions mention the or “baby blues”
These conditions are normal and there is no need to worry
The symptoms of postpartum depression may be similar to those of a baby blues, but the symptoms of postpartum depression are much longer and can be very distressing. Fifteen percent of all mothers experience postpartum depression. These mothers experience special symptoms, which we will introduce in the following.
what you will read next :
Postpartum depression symptoms
- The mother is very upset
- The mother cries for many hours
- The mother feels very tired and exhausted
- Despite the mother’s fatigue, she cannot sleep well
- Sometimes the mother spends many hours of the day and night asleep
- The mother is overeating or cannot eat at all
- The mother complains of different and strange pains and constant ailments
- Many of the mother’s feelings and actions get out of control
- Mode fluctuations are very sharp and sudden
- Disorder and lack of concentration and decision
- Impairment in remembering issues
- Nothing makes a mother happy
- The mother cannot communicate well with the baby
- Everything will be boring and frustrating for the mother
- Feeling guilty about yourself and the birth of a baby
- Excessive isolation
- Disorder of normal daily function
- Disruption of work that the mother used to do easily
And the mother may have very dangerous thoughts for herself and her baby, and unfortunately if left untreated, it will lead to irreversible action such as suicide or infanticide.
Symptoms usually appear in the first few weeks after delivery. Usually, the spouse, family, and friends notice the mother’s obvious changes and realize that the mother is not at all the same as before in terms of performance and mood. Symptoms may decrease but flare up again, without proper treatment the condition and symptoms of the day will worsen.
The only way to save the mother and baby from the painful and sometimes irreparable risks of postpartum depression is to see a doctor and start appropriate treatment under the support of family and friends because the mother herself will not be aware of the need for treatment when starting treatment.
In the following, we will introduce the best treatments for postpartum depression.
Remember that the best treatment for each person is different and only the doctor can prescribe the best treatment according to your symptoms and condition.
The best treatment for postpartum depression
If you develop high symptoms after giving birth or if your friend who has just given birth has any of the above symptoms, do not miss the time to see a doctor.
There are two types of treatment modalities for postpartum depression:
- Medications prescribed by a psychiatrist
- psychotherapy sessions by a psychologist
The important point is that usually the best treatment plan for postpartum depression will be to use both of the above treatment modalities, also the mother’s mood changes should be monitored daily.
It takes time to achieve the best treatment protocol for postpartum depression, so be patient and do not lose contact with your doctor.
Medications as the best treatment for postpartum depression
- Antidepressants:
These drugs are available in different groups and types and directly affect the brain to regulate mood by modulating brain chemicals that have played an important role in depression.
Do not expect to feel better as soon as you take a pill, it will take weeks for these drugs to work properly.
During this period of treatment, your trust in the doctor, support from family and friends, and constant communication with the doctor will play a major role in recovery.
Sometimes some types of antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks of use, have side effects that make the person unmotivated by the treatment. You need to be aware that the side effects are completely normal and usually go away after a few weeks.
Fatigue and lightheadedness and changes in defecation habits and decreased sex drive will be normal
Some antidepressants are safe even during breastfeeding. Be sure to tell your doctor about breastfeeding so that you can be prescribed the right and safe medication.
Sometimes low levels of estrogen in mother can cause symptoms. In these cases, hormone therapy may be needed.
Therapies performed by a psychologist and psychiatrist can help the mother recognize her dangerous thoughts and learn how to get rid herself of these dangerous thoughts.
Therapeutic and preventive interventions
- Self-care:
As a mother, you do not have to take on all the responsibilities of a new baby, accept this and do not bother yourself with too many fears and worries.
Ask your spouse, family and friends for help
Never isolate yourself from society just by becoming a mother, join appropriate and similar groups such as mothers
Be sure to spend enough time on yourself
Do not drink alcohol, alcohol itself is depressant
Avoid processed foods and include vegetables and fish in your diet.
Exercise gently but consistently and regularly.
If treatment is started on time, most mothers will recover within six months.
- Natural therapies for the treatment of postpartum depression:
These methods are effective along with medical treatments prescribed by a doctor, regular and gentle exercise, healthy diet, study, music, etc.
- Supplements:
If necessary, the required supplement is prescribed by a doctor. Do not take any supplement without consulting a doctor.
One of the supplements is omega-3. There is evidence of a deficiency of this substance in women with postpartum depression, but more studies are still needed so that doctors can definitely confirm the role of this supplement in improving postpartum depression.