Beating Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women will experience it after giving birth.

Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you longer to feel better, you may need to see your doctor.

Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," this does not go away quickly.

Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.

Researchers think that changes in your hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. If you think you have it, tell your health care provider.

Causes of Postpartum Depression

• Had a mood or anxiety disorder prior to pregnancy, including depression with a previous pregnancy.

• Have a close family member who has had depression or anxiety.

• Had something stressful happened to you during the pregnancy, including illness, death or illness of a loved one, a difficult or emergency delivery, premature delivery, or illness or abnormality in the baby.

• Are under age 20.

• Did not plan the pregnancy or do not want the pregnancy.

• Currently abuse alcohol, take illegal substances, or smoke (these are also serious medical health risks for the baby).

• Have little support from family, friends, and a significant other.

• Have a poor relationship with your husband, boyfriend, or significant other or are unmarried.

• Previously attempted suicide.

• Have financial problems (low income, poor housing).

• Received poor support from your parents in childhood

Signs And Symptoms

• Mood changes • Sadness • Despair • Anxiety • Irritability • Helplessness • Hopelessness • Anger • Shame • Exhaustion • Restlessness • Excessive crying (mother) • Fear of rejection • Headaches • Chest pains • Heart palpitations • Numbness • Hyperventilation • Sleep problems • Extreme exhaustion • Loss of appetite • Weight loss • Overeating • Weight gain • Difficulty concentrating • Memory problems • Difficulty making decisions • Excessive concern over the baby • Disinterest in the baby • Fear of harming the baby • Reduced libido • Loss of interest • Menstrual irregularity • Inadequacy • Guilt • Worthlessness • Fear of harming the baby • Fear of harming oneself • Loss of interest in activities • Loss of interest in sex

Treatment For Postpartum Depression

Depression Medicine

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-choice medications.

They usually take 4 to 8 weeks to improve depression, though some women improve sooner. SSRIs are considered relatively safe for use while breast-feeding because in general they pass into the breast milk at low levels (with the exception of fluoxetine [Prozac, Sarafem], which has been found in higher amounts in breast milk).

Tricyclics have not caused any known breast-feeding infant problems and are not passed on to a breast-feeding infant in measurable amounts (with the exception of Doxepin [Adapin, Sinequan], which is not considered safe while breast-feeding). Tricyclics may take 4 to 8 weeks to improve depression.

Antidepressants are typically used for at least 6 months, first to treat postpartum depression and then to prevent a relapse of symptoms. To prevent a relapse, your health professional may recommend that you take medication for up to a year before considering discontinuing it. Experts recommend long-term antidepressant treatment for women who have had three or more depressive episodes in the past.

Natural treatments.

Counseling.

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