Saying no role in life is more essential than a mother’s is an understatement. Motherhood is divinity; it’s the highest holiest service to be assumed by mankind.
And you’re a superhuman to have taken up such a huge responsibility that’s equivalent to participating in a race without a finish line, so I’d say congratulations!
How has the journey been for you?
Exciting isn’t it 😁?
As exciting as this new chapter may be, you should recognize it can also come with its fair share of challenges.
Talking about challenges, I’d love to share a story about a young lady named Andre in my neighborhood about ten years ago.
Andre had just gotten married to the love of her life, and as expected, she eagerly looked forward to becoming a mother. She had always dreamed of being called “mummy” by a tiny human running around the house 🤭.
She had countless times imagined days filled with laughter, cuddles, and bedtime stories with her baby, and exactly 11 months into the marriage, Andre was delivered of an adorable child, whom she named Abigail. Andre’s heart overflowed with unspeakable joy and unquantifiable love for her little one. But little did she know it’d be short-lived.
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Andre found herself in an emotional confusion she couldn’t explain. She smiled for the world to see, but behind closed doors, she struggled to keep her head above water.
At first, Andre didn’t give much thought to her feelings; she felt it was the normal ups and downs of new motherhood. But as time went on, the weight on her shoulders grew heavier, until it felt like she couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted to reach out for help, but the fear of judgment and stigma kept her silent.
Where am I going with this story?
In clear terms, you need to acknowledge that the pure bliss and overwhelming love you feel as a new mom, may sometimes be mixed with feelings of emptiness, anxiety, and total disconnect from everyone, especially your newborn.
And this may leave you asking yourself one question repeatedly; “What’s wrong with me?”
While it seems like the right answer to your question may not be in sight, you must realize you’re not alone on this table. These feelings are possible pointers to a postnatal condition called Postpartum depression (PPD).
What is Postpartum Depression?
According to The National Library of Medicine (NLM), around one in seven women can develop PPD after the delivery of their babies, but this often goes unrecognized or untreated.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious after giving birth, you’re neither weird nor incapable. PPD is not a reflection of your abilities as a mother, but rather a medical condition that requires attention and support, and it’s okay to seek help!
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to recognize the symptoms of Postpartum Depression, your possible treatment options, and what is at risk if you don’t treat PPD.
Ready? Let’s go!
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
- Persistent Sadness or Mood Swings: It’s normal to experience fluctuations in mood after giving birth, but if you find yourself feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or irritable for more than a couple of weeks, it could be a sign of postpartum depression. You might feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, with highs and lows that are difficult to control.
- Loss of Interest in Activities You Once Enjoyed: If you find yourself no longer interested in activities or hobbies that used to bring you joy, it could be a sign of postpartum depression. You may feel like you’ve lost touch with your former self and struggle to find pleasure in things that once made you happy.
- Physical Symptoms: In addition to emotional symptoms, postpartum depression can also manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, or muscle pain. These symptoms may not have a clear medical explanation and persist despite attempts to address them.
- Feelings of Guilt, Shame, or Worthlessness: Many new moms experience feelings of guilt or inadequacy, but if these feelings become overwhelming or consuming, it could be a sign of postpartum depression. You may feel like you’re failing as a mother or that you don’t deserve to be happy, which can further exacerbate your symptoms.
- Intense Anxiety or Panic Attacks: It’s natural to feel anxious about your new role as a mother, but if your anxiety is so intense that it interferes with your daily life or causes panic attacks, it could be a sign of postpartum depression. You may constantly worry about your baby’s health and safety, or you may have intrusive thoughts that you can’t seem to shake.
- Difficulty Bonding with Your Baby: You may have heard stories of instant bonding between mothers and their newborns, but the reality is that bonding can take time and may not happen as quickly or as effortlessly as you expected. If you’re having trouble forming a connection with your baby or you feel emotionally detached, it could be a sign of postpartum depression.
- Extreme Fatigue or Lack of Energy: Being a new mom is exhausting, but if you’re experiencing extreme fatigue or a lack of energy that makes it difficult to complete everyday tasks or care for your baby, it could be more than just typical sleep deprivation. Postpartum depression can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming and exhausting.
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it could mean that you’re at risk of PPD. However, it is not a death sentence and can be treated or managed by a healthcare professional.
PDP Diagnosis and Treatment Options
With the symptoms mentioned above, we recommend speaking to a healthcare provider with whom you will usually talk about your feelings and thoughts. This would help determine if it is the short-term baby blues or the more long-term case of PPD. It helps to be very open about how you feel when speaking with your healthcare provide so that they can work with you to create the best treatment plan for you.
Many healthcare providers including the ones that work with Mamas Mind may go further to do a depression screening and have you take other tests if needed just to be sure of your symptoms.
Some possible treatments may include:
- Self care and good rest
- Support and love from your loved ones
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Antidepressants
- Lifestyle and home remedies
The Risk of Untreated Postpartum Depression
While you may be tempted to ignore these symptoms, bear in mind that untreated PPD may cause lasting negative health effects for you and your baby, as well as your spouse, and other family members. We encourage you to seek help as soon as possible to avoid the long-term impacts on your health and that of your baby’s.
Some of the moms who don’t seek help usually turn to substances and alcohol to manage their symptoms which is very dangerous and can lead to disconnection between mother and child, developmental issuea, and worse health conditions. So, it is important that you speak up for help.
