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Causes and Cure of depression during pregnancy

Depression

The birth of a baby can trigger a range of powerful emotions — excitement, joy, even fears. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression. Pop star Britney Spears was being treated for from post-partum depression at the luxury Malibu rehab centre. Brooke Shields too, in the past, spoke candidly about her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, and provided millions of women with an inspiring example of recovery. And that’s not all. Former Friends star Courteney Cox has spoken about her battle with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter.Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD):
The following symptoms may be more diagnostic during the postpartum period. New mothers should seek help if they experience any of the following signs.

• Strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability

• Emotional which interferes with taking care of self or family

• Tearfulness

• Trouble motivating oneself to do normal, everyday tasks

• Diminished interest in food (or compulsive overeating)

• Diminished interest in self-grooming (dressing, bathing, fixing hair)

• Inability to sleep when tired or sleeping too much

• Trouble concentrating, making decisions, remembering things

• Loss of pleasure or interest in things which used to be fun or interesting

• Overly intense worries about the baby

• Lack of interest in the new baby

• Fear of harming the baby

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Causes of PPD:
Hormonal changes: Researchers say that hormonal changes in a woman’s body may trigger some symptoms. During , the amount of two female hormones — estrogen and progesterone — in a woman’s body increase greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amounts of these hormones drops rapidly and keeps dropping to the amount they were before the woman became pregnant. Aside from biological changes, a variety of physical, psychological, and environmental factors can lead to postpartum depression. Feelings of fatigue following delivery, broken sleep patterns, and insufficient rest often prevent a new mother from regaining her full strength for weeks, especially if she has had a cesarean delivery.
Treating PPD:
The most commonly used treatments for depression are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Which of these is the right treatment for an individual case depends on the nature and severity of the depression and, to some extent, on individual preference? In mild or moderate depression, one or both of these treatments may be useful, while in severe or incapacitating depression, medication is generally recommended under supervision of a psychiatrist as a first step in the treatment.
Helping a young mother cope with PPD:

• Get help with cooking, housework and baby care from friends, relatives or significant other.

• Sleep when the baby sleeps.

• Let go of the expectations that you must get everything done.

• Take some time for yourself and your significant other.

• If your medications make it impossible for you to breastfeed, just remember that a good mom is the one takes care of herself so she is able to take care of the baby.

• When the baby starts to sleep through the night is a good time to begin thinking about diet and exercise programs to regain your old figure. Exercise and proper diet have will improve your mood and will give your self-esteem a boost as well.

• If you plan to be breastfeeding for a while, you can still eat healthfully and breastfeeding will actually give you a jumpstart on losing the baby weight. If your depression is interfering with your ability to take care of your baby, that doesn’t make you a bad mom. It just means you have an illness that you need treatment for.

• Obtain professional help and always follow your doctor’s directions if you feel you may be suffering from postpartum depression.

• Support of spouse and family is necessary.

Written by James · Filed Under Pregnancy 

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