Signs of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is one of the most common forms of depression yet one that is easily overlooked by many doctors and patients alike. Because the signs of postpartum depression are similar to those

Postpartum depression varies in severity and has nothing to do with the age of the mother, how many children she has had previously or how well she took care of herself during pregnancy. Anyone of any age can develop postpartum depression although many people mistakenly think it only affects first time mothers. Some cases of post partum depression may mimic signs of clinical depression and in some ways they are similar. A woman suffering from postpartum depression may exhibit any number of the following signs:

• Restlessness and irritability
• Sadness or frequent crying spells
• Lack of energy
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations, numbness or hyperventilation
• Inability to sleep and/or being very tired
• Losing weight due to inability to eat
• Gaining weight due to overeating
• Difficulty focusing, remembering or making a decision
• Worrying excessively about the baby
• Lack of interest in the baby
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Fear of hurting yourself or the baby
• Lack of interest or pleasure in activities that may include sex

There is no known cause for postpartum depression though it is suspected that the signs of postpartum depression may develop because of a drastic drop in the hormone level after childbirth. During pregnancy there is a marked increase in both estrogen and progesterone but shortly after childbirth the levels of these hormones drop remarkably and continue to drop until they reach pre-pregnancy levels.  Researchers believe these hormonal changes may be the reason some women exhibit signs of clinical depression following childbirth in much the same way the smaller hormonal changes that occur before the menstrual period affect a woman’s moods.

Another possibility is a sharp drop in thyroid levels after childbirth may trigger depression.  Low levels in the thyroid can cause the presentation of warning signs of depression such as moodiness, fatigue, agitation, sleep disorders, and anxiety.  If the thyroid levels are causing a woman’s postpartum depression, a physician can prescribe thyroid medication to alleviate the problem.

In addition to reduced hormone levels and low thyroid here are other factors that have a contributory role in postpartum depression. Some of the most common contributing factors include the following:

• Being tired following childbirth, sleep patterns that are broken, and insufficient rest prevents a new mother from regaining her strength for several weeks. This is particularly true if the birth was a cesarean.

• The mother may feel overwhelmed by a new or another baby and have doubts about being a good mother.

• Changes in both home and work schedules may cause stress.  Sometimes women tend to feel they need to be perfect and be able to do everything.  This unrealistic expectation can create additional stress.

• Feelings of loss may also create an environment for postpartum depression.  This may include loss of identity, loss of control, loss of a pre-pregnancy figure, and feeling unattractive.

• There may also be resentment over having less free time, having to stay inside more, and having less time to spend with your partner.