Postnatal Depression : Impact on Mother’s Mental Health and Well-being
Postnatal depression refers to a kind of depression that most of the parents tend to go through, after the birth of their child. Even though it is quite common, yet only few parents are aware about this form of depression.
Most of the new mothers experience “baby blues” and that is regarded normal, as the duration is not more than two weeks post childbirth. But, postnatal depression varies from baby blues, since it begins around the first year post childbirth. And, it does have a huge impact on the mother, since post pregnancy their physical as well as mental health goes for a toss. But at the same time, the father of the child as well as their family gets affected in an immense manner.
Research has shown that approximately 1 out of every 10 women in a year are found to experience postnatal depression, post the birth of their child. And, the findings have also revealed that it does have a huge impact on the father as well as the entire family.
There are several signs and symptoms of postnatal depression among new mothers. These are as follows:
- It evolves gradually and during the first year post your childbirth.
- There is a lack of social contact towards your family and friends.
- Inability to sleep and even eat well.
- Persistent feeling of exhaustion during the whole day.
- Difficulty in looking after yourself as well as the baby.
And, there are various causes of postnatal depression among new mothers. These include:
- History of mental health issues, such as depression in particular during your early years of life.
- History of mental health issues in the course of your pregnancy.
- Lack of social and emotional support from your friends and family.
- Disturbed relationship with your spouse.
- Presence of stressful events around you.
- Difficulty in adapting as a new mother.
- Inability to get proper rest, since the baby keeps you awake and you tend to feel exhausted due to prolonged stress.
- Occurrence of physical as well as emotional trauma in your environment
Further, there are numerous ways to cope with postnatal depression among new mothers. These are as follows:
- Seek emotional and mental support from a mental health professional to gain a perspective.
- Spend time with your friends and family.
- Keep yourself engaged with activities that enriches your bond with the baby.
- Maintain a journal to keep a record of your thoughts and emotions.
- Take proper rest by taking turns to take care of your baby along with your spouse.
- Acknowledge each and every emotion you experience, and learn to work with it through therapy.
- Join support groups with new mothers to express your difficulties, and at the same time accomplish a viewpoint.
Even, it is integral for the family as well as the spouse to support the new mothers by giving them emotional as well as moral support, in order to cope with this time peacefully. Therefore, increasing the awareness as well as acceptance about postnatal depression will enrich the mental, social as well as emotional wellness among new mothers as a whole.