Medication
The most important way to prevent PPD is with awareness. Know your risk factors and inform your doctor, especially if you experienced any mood changes prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy. Healthy habits can also reduce the risk of developing PPD.
Therapy
The symptoms are often similar to typical depression. Hence the criteria of PPD diagnosis must be met before one qualifies for treatment. With so many rising cases of postpartum depression, it’s become more common for sufferers to explore their options ...
Self-care
- Listen to your spouse and allow them to express their feelings without judgment.
- Don’t try to “fix” their feelings; validate what they are feeling and empathize as best you can.
- Help your partner understand that you don’t blame them for how they are feeling; postpartum depression isn’t their fault, nor is it yours.
Nutrition
Some of the tips to overcome postpartum depression can include consulting a professional, meeting with other moms, getting enough rest, eating healthy, breastfeed only if you want to, exercising a bit, learning to relax, making realistic goals, talk to your partner and lastly not to be hard on oneself.
How to recognize and reduce the risk of postpartum depression?
Is there a cure for postpartum depression?
How to help your partner through postpartum depression?
How to get over the postpartum depression?
See more
How do you resolve postpartum?
7 Ways to Cope with Postpartum DepressionGet active.Eat well.Take a break.Schedule sleep.Try omega-3s.Re-evaluate breast-feeding.Stay connected.Your doctor.More items...
How do doctors treat postpartum anxiety?
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most widely used and most researched medication for postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.
How can you reduce the risk of postnatal depression?
Here are 10 tips to prevent it:Educate yourself. ... Sleep and eat properly. ... Exercise. ... Avoid making major life changes during or right after childbirth. ... Let your feelings be known in the delivery room. ... Enlist good support during birthing. ... Prepare yourself well for childbirth. ... Enlist household help during the postpartum period.More items...•
Is PPD curable?
PPD is a treatable mental health condition. It does not indicate your current or future potential as a parent. Nor is PPD your fault. This myth persists because of misunderstandings about mental health conditions and the ways in which PPD can interfere with parent-child bonding.
How do you treat postpartum insomnia?
Avoid caffeine and chocolate, both of which can keep you awake, especially if you indulge in the late afternoon or early evening. A big meal before bed may have the same effect. Hit the gym. Once your practitioner has given you the green light, ease back into a workout routine.
How soon does PPD start?
On average, PPD usually begins in the first 3 weeks after having a baby, according to ACOG, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Can you prevent postpartum hair loss?
You can't prevent postpartum hair loss. It's a normal part of the recovery from pregnancy. There aren't any treatments to stop telogen effluvium or to speed up new hair growth. Doctors recommend eating a healthy and balanced diet.
Who is at risk for postpartum psychosis?
The most significant risk factors for postpartum psychosis are a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, or a previous psychotic episode. Of the women who develop a postpartum psychosis, research has suggested that there is approximately a 5% suicide rate and a 4% infanticide rate associated with the illness.
Can you get PPD while pregnant?
PPD is a kind of perinatal depression. This is depression that happens during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. PPD is the most common complication for women who have just had a baby.
Can PPD go away without medication?
Outlook. With treatment, PPD may go away within a six-month period. If you don't get treatment or if you stop treatment too soon, the condition may relapse or turn into chronic depression.
How is postpartum psychosis treated?
Women with postpartum psychosis require inpatient hospitalization, and should be treated with Lithium, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines.
How long does it take to heal postpartum?
Vaginal delivery recovery, also called postpartum recovery, takes time. Some women don't feel like their pre-pregnancy selves again for a few months, though many feel mostly recovered after 6-8 weeks. Two-thirds of babies in the U.S. are born through vaginal delivery.
How to treat postpartum depression?
Postpartum Depression Therapy. Because postpartum depression is a mental health condition, it can be treated through psychotherapy. This includes talk therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. For women who feel isolated, anxious and scared, talking about their feelings in a safe environment can be incredibly ...
How to help a wife recover from postpartum depression?
Depending on the situation, relationship therapy for spouses may be an important factor in recovering from postpartum depression. In general, therapy can help women develop a more positive way of acknowledging, addressing and recovering from their postpartum depression. Learn More About Therapy Options.
What is the best medication for postpartum depression?
Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed type of medication for postpartum depression. Antidepressants work to elevate and stabilize the mood. This prevents postpartum depression symptoms such as mood swings, sadness and irritability.
What is the effect of SSRIs on mood?
SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain making it more readily available in the brain. This helps to elevate mood and reduce general symptoms of postpartum depression.
What are the factors that affect postpartum depression?
These factors include: The severity of the condition. Medical history and background of the mother. Other individual needs. Postpartum depression treatments generally include therapy with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Another common treatment method, used in conjunction with therapy, ...
How does mental health help women?
Mental health professionals use therapy to help women find ways to understand and cope with their feelings. Therapy also helps mothers solve problems and set realistic goals as they work to manage their postpartum depression. There are two common types of psychotherapy that are referred to as talk therapy.
How long does PPD last?
Each woman experiences this disorder in different ways. However, the condition generally lasts six months. With a combination of therapy, medication and healthy lifestyle choices, women can recover from PPD. Recovery allows mothers to live happy and healthy lives with their children and families.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur after giving birth that are attributed to the chemical, social, and psychological changes associated with having a baby.
How long does postpartum depression last?
The symptoms generally occur quickly after delivery and are severe, lasting for a few weeks to several months.
What is PMDD in pregnancy?
Having a personal or family history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Limited social support. Marital conflict. Ambivalence about the pregnancy. A history of depression during pregnancy — 50% of depressed pregnant women will have postpartum depression.
How many women have postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is common. As many as 50 to 75% of new mothers experience the "baby blues" after delivery. Up to 15% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression, called postpartum depression, after delivery. One in 1,000 women develop the more serious condition called postpartum psychosis.
What are the symptoms of postpartum psychosis?
Symptoms include severe agitation, confusion, feelings of hopelessness and shame, insomnia, paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, hyperactivity, rapid speech, or mania. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate medical attention since there is an increased risk of suicide and risk of harm to the baby. Treatment will usually include admission ...
What is the term for the shift in emotions after delivery?
Postpartum Depression. As many as 50 to 75% of new mothers experience a shift in their emotions called the “baby blues” after delivery. Up to 15% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression, called postpartum depression, after delivery. Women with postpartum depression may experience emotional highs and lows, ...
How long does it take for estrogen to drop after delivery?
The levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, increase tenfold during pregnancy but drop sharply after delivery. By three days postpartum, levels of these hormones drop back to pre-pregnant levels.
How common is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a major international public health problem that affects at least 1 in 8 mothers and their children in the year after childbirth worldwide. PPD may be more common and may be associated with more morbidity for both mothers and children in resource-poor countries. PPD has been associated with significant negative effects not only on depressed women themselves, but on the physical, cognitive and emotional development of their children. Early detection and intervention are important in mitigating these risks. There are validated and easily administered screening tools for PPD available in many languages, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; most experts recommend screening women for PPD 4–6 weeks after delivery.
What are the symptoms of a postpartum depression episode?
However, studies suggest that depressive episodes are significantly more common in women in the first three months after delivery, 32 and an increased vulnerability to psychiatric illness may persist for a year or more. 33 It is important to differentiate PPD from other psychiatric and nonpsychiatric diagnoses. The “postpartum blues” or “baby blues” is a transient mood disturbance that affects up to 75% of new mothers in the 10 days following delivery, and consists of crying, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and emotional lability. Symptoms are generally mild and self-limited, and do not involve total loss of pleasure or interest, persistent low mood, or suicidal ideation. 34 On the other extreme, postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate intervention, and is characterized by the rapid onset of severe mood swings, a waxing and waning sensorium, delusions, hallucinations or disorganized behaviors, and a relatively high incidence of suicidal ideation or homicidal ideation toward the infant. 35 Women presenting with a depressive episode, mood elevation, or psychotic symptoms should be screened for any prior history of mania or hypomania to rule out previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder. 36 Anxiety disorders are common in perinatal women, and women may have depression comorbid with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. 37 Substance use and medical causes of psychiatric symptoms, such as thyroid disorders, should also be considered.
What is psychosocial intervention?
As compared with IPT or CBT, psychosocial interventions are unstructured and nonmanualized, and include nondirective counseling and peer support. Nondirective counseling (also known as “person-centered”) is based on the use of empathic and nonjudgmental listening and support. In the first notable study evaluating this intervention, Holden randomized 50 women with PPD to 8 weekly nondirective counseling sessions with a health visitor or routine primary care. 108 A health visitor in the UK is a public health nurse who conducts home visits with pregnant and postpartum women. This study found that the rate of recovery from PPD for counseling (69%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (38%). In a similar study conducted in Sweden, Wickberg and Hwang randomized 31 women with PPD to receive six nondirective counseling sessions by child health clinic nurses or routine primary care. 109 As in the Holden study, a significantly greater percentage of women in the treatment group (80%) had remission of depression than in the control group (25%). Study limitations include the removal of four study participants, two in each group, for more intensive mental health services due to illness severity.
What is electroconvulsive therapy?
As with treatment-refractory major depression in the general population, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an option for depressed postpartum women who do not respond to antidepressant medication or who have severe or psychotic symptoms. Data specific to this population are very limited.
What is interpersonal therapy?
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a time-limited treatment for major depression based on addressing the connection between interpersonal problems and mood, 98 which frames depression as a medical illness occurring in a social context. 99 In IPT, the patient and clinician select one of four interpersonal problem areas (role transition, role dispute, grief, or interpersonal deficits) as a treatment focus. Over the course of the therapy (typically 12–20 weeks), strategies are pursued to assist patients in modifying problematic approaches to relationships and in building better social supports. IPT has been adapted to address problem areas relevant to postpartum depression such as the relationship between mother and infant, mother and partner, and transition back to work. 100 The fact that IPT is both time-limited and problem-focused fits well with the demands of the postpartum mother.
What is the best treatment for depression?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a well-studied and effective treatment for major depression, 105 is based on the premise that both perceptions and behaviors are intimately linked to mood. CBT focuses on helping depressed patients to modify distorted patterns of negative thinking and to make behavioral changes that enhance coping and reduce distress. 106 There have been several trials assessing CBT alone or with other interventions for the treatment of PPD. In a randomized controlled psychotherapy-pharmacotherapy study, Appleby et al assigned 87 women with PPD to one of four conditions in a factorial design, varying based on treatment with either one or six sessions of CBT-based counseling, and treatment with fluoxetine or placebo. 52 All four treatment groups had significant improvement in depressive symptoms. Women who received six CBT sessions versus one had greater decrease in depressive symptoms. Six sessions of CBT plus placebo pill was as effective as treatment with fluoxetine plus one session of CBT, but there was no added benefit in the group receiving 6 counseling sessions in combination with fluoxetine. It should be noted that the counseling sessions were delivered by briefly trained nonspecialists, and six sessions of CBT may not be a sufficient representation of a standard course of treatment. In another combination medication-CBT study, Misri et al randomized 35 women with PPD and comorbid anxiety either to paroxetine monotherapy or paroxetine and 12 weekly manualized CBT sessions with a psychologist. 53 While both groups had significant decreases in depressive symptoms, there were no significant differences between the two groups in response rates, time to remission or dose of medication required, suggesting no measurable added benefit to the CBT treatment in combination with an SSRI over the 12 week study period, as consistent with Appleby’s findings. In a randomized controlled trial looking at the effectiveness of CBT versus a control condition, Prendergast and Austin assigned 37 women with PPD either to six weekly one-hour home-based CBT sessions delivered by early childhood nurses (ECNs) or to “ideal standard care”, which consisted of six weekly visits to ECNs in a clinic setting. 107 Both groups with PPD had significant mood improvement, though there was a nonsignificant trend towards CBT being more effective at six-month follow-up. Among study limitations, ECNs administering CBT were not experienced therapists, though they received CBT training prior to the study and supervision throughout. Additionally, the control group more closely resembled a supportive psychotherapy rather than no-treament. These studies support CBT interventions as helpful in the treatment of PPD, though they do not support an additional benefit to CBT in combination with pharmacotherapy and do not clarify a specific benefit of CBT for this population in comparison with other treatments. Two of these studies also suggest a role for the training of nonmental-health professionals in this modality.
Is postpartum depression a major depression?
A small but growing literature suggests that postpartum depression can be thought of as a variant of major depression that responds similarly to antidepressant medication. 46, 47 Concerns unique to pharmacologic treatment of PPD include metabolic changes in the postpartum period, exposure of the infant to medication in breast milk, the effect of depression and treatment on the ability of the depressed mother to care for a new baby, and the perceived stigma of being seen as a “bad mother” for requiring medication. 48 – 50 These factors, as well as the woman’s level of distress, access to care, and experience with past treatment may influence the decision of the patient and her caregiver regarding the choice of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for PPD. Data comparing the effectiveness of medication against other treatment modalities for PPD are scarce, though do suggest that medications are at least as effective as most psychological interventions based on effect size. 51 To date, four randomized controlled studies on the treatment of PPD with antidepressant medications have been published, along with several open trials. Additionally, two randomized studies have looked at the prevention of PPD with antidepressant medication.
How to support mood during postpartum period?
Pregnancy and lactation both increase the demands on the body for nutrients and caloric intake. Proper nutrition and dietary supplementation will help to support mood and energy levels during the postpartum period. Provide ideas for healthy nutrition and consider keeping a list of quick, nutritious recipes on hand. Mothers should try to avoid junk food, and focus on eating meals, preferably with others who are positive and supportive. They should avoid skipping meals or indulging in comfort eating. Advise women to keep healthy and easy-to-prepare food handy, as she may not have much time for lengthy cooking. Women should focus on plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil for cooking. They should decrease intake of salt, caffeine, and high-fructose corn syrup.
How to help a mother with depression?
Exercise and fresh air can be very therapeutic to mothers, who often find themselves spending a lot of time indoors, tending to their babys needs. Sunlight for 15-30 minutes a day (being careful not to burn) is important. This may mean going for a walk, sitting outside, going to a park, or whatever works best for her. Movement is one of the most important, low-cost, and effective treatments for depression. The available research on physical activity and yoga as interventions for perinatal depression is encouraging with regard to feasibility, acceptability, patient safety, and preliminary efficacy. [16]
How long does it take for postpartum depression to start?
It can occur up to one year after having a baby, but it most commonly starts about one to three weeks after childbirth. The term postpartum depression commonly includes major and minor depression, which differ in severity and prognosis, and have a combined incidence of 12% in healthy women, who gave birth to full-term infants. [1] Risk factors for postpartum depression include a history of postpartum major depression with a previous pregnancy, antenatal depressive symptoms (relative risk [RR] = 5.6), a history of major depressive disorder (RR = 4.5), poor social support (RR = 2.6), major life events or stressors during pregnancy (RR = 2.5), and a family history of postpartum major depression (RR = 2.4). [2] [3] Treatment options include lifestyle changes, counseling, dietary supplementation, and pharmaceuticals.
Can B vitamins cause depression?
Some studies report an association of low folate levels and an increased risk of depression. [8] [9] [10] Low blood folate has also been associated with a poorer response to treatment with antidepressants [11] and higher folate levels at baseline appear associated with a better response to treatment. [12] There have not been conclusive studies published that looked specifically at folate or other B vitamins in the treatment of postpartum depression. Consider recommending to women who are postpartum to continue their prenatal vitamin or take a B-100 complex with about 1 mg (or 1,000 mcg) of folic acid, or folate.
Do doulas help with postpartum depression?
Unlike therapists or psychiatrists, doulas do not treat postpartum depression. However, they will help by attending to the mothers home environment to support her emotionally. They relieve some of the pressure on the mother by helping with household chores and baby care, allowing her to move into her expanded responsibilities gradually. By mothering the mother, doulas make sure that the mother feels nurtured and cared for, as well as making sure she is eating well and getting enough sleep.
When does postpartum depression start?
Postpartum depression can begin within days of giving birth or anytime within the first year after childbirth. Many women experience a milder condition called the baby blues in the first two weeks after giving birth, and it typically resolves on its own.
What are the factors that contribute to postpartum depression?
1, 2. Lifestyle changes from having a newborn that can be physically and emotionally taxing—sleep deprivation, new responsibilities, stress, and anxiety can all contribute to postpartum depression.
How many new mothers experience postpartum depression?
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 20% of new mothers experience one or more symptoms of postpartum depression, that number may be higher or lower based on where you live, your age, your risk factors, and your race/ethnicity. 6
What does it mean when you have a PPD diagnosis?
You have thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby. Getting a PPD diagnosis as soon as possible means you can discuss beginning treatment right away. This is especially important if you’ve had depression or PPD before.
How many women have PPD?
In some states, as many as one in five women experience PPD. You can view your state’s prevalence using the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). According to another CDC study, postpartum depression may be more common among: 4. Black women.
How long does it take for an antidepressant to work?
This neurotransmitter regulates mood and is often imbalanced in people with depression. Antidepressants may take several weeks to start working.
How long after having a baby can you get depression?
Whether you experience depression symptoms two weeks or two months after having a baby, and regardless of how severe your symptoms are, reaching out to a professional can help you decide what the best course of treatment is for you.
How common is postpartum depression?
Depression is a common problem after pregnancy. One in 9 new mothers has postpartum depression. 1
How do I know if I have postpartum depression?
Some normal changes after pregnancy can cause symptoms similar to those of depression. Many mothers feel overwhelmed when a new baby comes home. But if you have any of the following symptoms of depression for more than 2 weeks, call your doctor, nurse, or midwife:
What causes postpartum depression?
Hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum depression. When you are pregnant, levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are the highest they’ll ever be. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels quickly drop back to normal, pre-pregnancy levels.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is rare. It happens in up to 4 new mothers out of every 1,000 births. It usually begins in the first 2 weeks after childbirth. It is a medical emergency. Women who have bipolar disorder or another mental health condition called schizoaffective disorder have a higher risk of postpartum psychosis. Symptoms may include:
What should I do if I have symptoms of postpartum depression?
Ask your partner or a loved one to call for you if necessary. Your doctor, nurse, or midwife can ask you questions to test for depression. They can also refer you to a mental health professional for help and treatment.
How is postpartum depression treated?
Therapy. During therapy, you talk to a therapist, psychologist, or social worker to learn strategies to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act.
What can happen if postpartum depression is not treated?
Untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent. You may:
What is the best treatment for postpartum depression?
interpersonal therapy. When a formal diagnosis of postpartum depression is made, it is very important to make sure a new mother gets the care she needs. The appropriate treatment is based on the severity of a woman’s symptoms and how she responds to the intervention.
How long does postpartum depression last?
For most women, the symptoms go away without treatment, but about 20% of women will still have significant depressive symptoms after one year.
Why is postpartum screening important?
Screening is very important because studies have shown that many women with postpartum depression are ashamed of their symptoms and are afraid of the social stigma associated with the diagnosis. Although symptoms of postpartum depression can vary, the typical symptoms include: sleep disturbances. anxiety. irritability.
Why is it important to screen for postpartum depression?
Because postpartum depression affects the health of the woman, her infant, and her entire family, it is very important to screen for postpartum depression risk. Most obstetricians are now implementing some type of screening tool during the postpartum checkup. Screening is very important because studies have shown that many women with postpartum ...
What are the first days after having a baby?
For most new mothers, the first several days after having a baby is an emotional roller coaster ride. Thrilling moments of happiness and joy are abruptly interrupted by a plunge into moments of depressive symptoms including weeping, anxiety, anger, and sadness.
Can a baby cause postpartum depression?
It is thought that the abrupt decrease in hormone levels after having a baby can lead to the development of postpartum depression in susceptible women. We also can’t say for sure what makes a woman particularly vulnerable to postpartum depression.
Is postpartum depression a personal disorder?
We do know that the strongest predictor of postpartum depression is a personal history of a mood disorder or anxiety, especially if present and untreated during pregnancy. In fact, women with a history of depression during pregnancy are seven times more likely to experience significant postpartum depression.
What can a healthcare provider talk to mothers about?
Healthcare providers can talk to mothers about treatment options for depression including medications and non-pharmacological options (e.g., individual or group therapy) and assist mothers in accessing professional breastfeeding support as needed.
Do medications pass into breast milk?
Maybe. Although many medications do pass into breast milk, most have little or no effect on milk supply or on infant well-being. When discussing medications it is important for the healthcare provider to ask a mother about whether she is breastfeeding.
Can you breastfeed if you have postpartum depression?
Postpartum Depression. Mothers with postpartum depression can usually continue to breastfeed. Healthcare providers should work with mothers to ensure they receive appropriate treatment, support, and medications that are safe to use while breastfeeding.
Is breastfeeding a sign of depression?
According to a 2018 systematic review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) , “Elucidating the relationship between breastfeeding and postpartum depression is challenging, because women with depression may have difficulty initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, and women who experience breastfeeding difficulties may develop ...
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your doctor will usually talk with you about your feelings, thoughts and mental health to distinguish between a short-term case of postpartum baby blues and a more severe form of depression. Don't be embarrassed ― postpartum depression is common. Share your symptoms …