| All expecting mothers are scared stiff by the thought | | | | their own. There is no treatment necessary other |
| of giving birth, even those who don´t admit it, | | | | than sufficient rest, reassurance, and support from |
| During the nine months of waiting, expectant | | | | family and friends. |
| mothers have their regular check ups, and their | | | | People often confuse the baby blues with |
| physicians really do their best to calm and motivate | | | | postpartum depression because they have common |
| the mothers-to-be. Expectant mothers usually buy | | | | symptoms. Postpartum depression may appear to be |
| tons of books and magazines about childbirth, | | | | the baby blues at first, but the signs and symptoms |
| pregnancy and health in preparation for their | | | | are more intense and longer lasting, eventually |
| upcoming baby. They read every detail about | | | | interfering with a woman's ability to function as a |
| pregnancy and child care. | | | | mother. Moreover, some women do not tell anyone |
| Giving birth is a magical moment in most mothers' | | | | about their symptoms because they feel |
| lives, yet many fear it the first time it happens to | | | | embarrassed, ashamed or guilty about being |
| them. Questions run through their minds like what will | | | | depressed when they're supposed to be happy |
| happen to them, what should they prepare for, is the | | | | about having given birth to a healthy baby. |
| baby going to be fine, and a long list of other nagging | | | | Postpartum depression is more debilitating than the |
| questions about pregnancy and childbirth. Every | | | | baby blues. Women with this condition suffer from |
| woman will experience something different and | | | | melancholy, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, |
| unique during birth. In the United States and other | | | | irritability, and fatigue. Physical symptoms include |
| western countries, the risk of complications is low. | | | | headaches, numbness, chest pain and |
| But after giving birth, there are changes, both | | | | hyperventilation. A woman with postpartum |
| expected and unexpected, such as postpartum | | | | depression may regard her child with negativity or |
| depression. | | | | disinterest. An adverse effect on the bonding |
| After childbirth, a dramatic drop in estrogen and | | | | between mother and child may result because of this |
| progesterone may trigger depression. The hormones | | | | particular pregnancy and childbirth-related mental and |
| produced by the thyroid gland may also drop sharply | | | | emotional distress. Because this syndrome is still |
| and leave the woman who recently gave birth feeling | | | | poorly defined and under studied, it tends to be |
| tired, sluggish, and depressed. Changes in a woman's | | | | under reported. Estimates of its occurrence range |
| blood volume, blood pressure, immune system, and | | | | from 3% to 20% of births. The depression can begin |
| metabolism can lead to fatigue and mood swings. | | | | at any time between delivery and 6 months |
| However, some women may experience a deep and | | | | post-birth, and may last up to several months or |
| ongoing depression which lasts much longer. This is | | | | even a year. |
| called postpartum depression. Researchers have | | | | Postpartum psychosis is a relatively rare disorder. The |
| identified three types of postpartum depression: | | | | symptoms include extreme confusion, fatigue, |
| baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum | | | | agitation, alterations in mood, feelings of hopelessness |
| psychosis. | | | | and shame, hallucinations, and rapid speech or mania. |
| The "baby blues" is the most minor form of | | | | Studies indicate that it affects only one in 1,000 |
| postpartum depression, Several major rapid changes | | | | births. Postpartum psychosis requires immediate |
| are brought about by this form of depression | | | | treatment, often in the hospital. When a woman's |
| including a drop in hormone levels, breast | | | | safety is assured, treatment may begin with |
| engorgement, and reluctance to return home from | | | | antidepressant medications or hormone therapy. |
| the hospital after the delivery. "Baby Blues" usually | | | | Experiencing depression after childbirth isn't a |
| start one to three days after delivery. It is | | | | character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply |
| characterized by weeping, irritability, lack of sleep, | | | | part of giving birth. If a woman is depressed, prompt |
| mood changes, and a feeling of vulnerability. The | | | | treatment can help manage her symptoms and enjoy |
| baby blues are not an illness, as they will go away on | | | | the baby and the rest of her new life as a mother. |