Postpartum depression is a common type of female mental disorder, which is a series of physical, emotional and psychological changes brought about by changes in women’s sex hormones, social roles and psychology after childbirth. It is characterized by “three lows”, which are depressed mood, slow thinking and reduced volitional behavior. If a woman is depressed during pregnancy and after childbirth, she should seek medical attention and family members should pay attention and understand to help her through the postpartum “gloomy period”.
Multiple factors trigger postpartum depression
Women will Women experience three hormone level “roller coasters” during their lifetime: premenstrual, postpartum, and menopause. Postpartum depression in women is a multifactorial disorder that includes biological, psychological, personality, social, and obstetric factors.
Biological factors
The most dramatic change in body hormone levels during pregnancy and delivery is within the first 24 hours after delivery. It is the biological basis for the development of postpartum depression. The release of fetal steroids reaches its highest value just before the birth, when the patient’s mood is pleasant, and the secretion of placental steroids decreases after the birth of the mother. According to scientific research studies, the greater the decline in maternal progesterone, the greater the likelihood that a pregnant woman will suffer from postpartum depression.
Psychological factors
According to psychologists, pregnant women generally experience temporary psychological degradation during pregnancy or after childbirth phenomenon, which may become dependent and emotionally fragile, and needs her family to take care of her. After the birth of the baby, the mother’s social status in the family is changed and she is prone to physical and psychological fallout. At the same time, because of the responsibility of motherhood, her lifestyle changes significantly, and if appropriate adjustments are not made during this period, it may eventually lead to a series of physiopathological changes.
Personality traits
Some mothers are less emotionally stable after giving birth and can be particularly sensitive to external reactions. Mothers with a family history of mental illness, especially depression, have a higher chance of developing postpartum depression.
Social factors
Mothers who have less contact with the outside world while recuperating at home are prone to boredom, irritability, and other The depression is more likely to occur if the relationship between husband and wife, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is not harmonious.
Obstetric factors
Medical research shows that the more mothers see negative life events during pregnancy, the greater the chance of developing postpartum depression. The more women look at negative life events during pregnancy, the greater the chance of postpartum depression, such as fear of miscarrying the baby because of illness, fear of losing body image after childbirth, fear of losing a job, not taking enough maternity leave to join the workforce too early, and so on.
On the treatment of postpartum depression: don’t stop taking your medication when you feel better
For depression in general, taking antidepressants as prescribed is the most common form of treatment, but for pregnant women or mothers with breastfeeding needs, there is no guarantee that antidepressants are not risky for infants and children because there is no definitive research data, and doctors will clearly inform women of this at the time of diagnosis and prohibit pregnant women and mothers from taking antidepressants.
For women who are planning to get pregnant, it is recommended that they stop taking the medication for 3 months before preparing for pregnancy. Experts say that the clinical effects of physiotherapy such as “repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation” and “electronic biofeedback” are clear and suitable for patients with postpartum depression. Psychotherapy and relaxation by a medical professional can also be effective.
In addition, patients with depression tend to be light and short sleepers, and these patients can be treated with antidepressants combined with psychotherapy. The effects of depression are clearer if intervention is made early and comprehensive treatment is administered.
Experts warn that some women who feel “better” after a period of treatment stop taking their medication or stick with it. This is not the right approach, depression patients should not stop the medication without permission. The use of antidepressants generally requires four stages: acute, consolidation, maintenance, and discontinuation observation. The risk of relapse of depression is increased by stopping the medication.