Giving birth and becoming a mother is one of the most important stages in a woman's life. At the end of an eagerly awaited 9-month period, a significant portion of new mothers (50-80%) may experience a tearful state along with a fluctuating mood, contrary to the expected happiness.
This condition, called baby blues, usually occurs on the 3rd and 4th days after birth and can last up to 1-2 weeks. The mother may generally experience fatigue, feeling of crying, anxiety, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. It is thought that motherhood blues may be caused by the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone hormones after birth and is considered a gateway to motherhood. In such a case, there is no need to worry; this situation will end when the hormone levels return to their normal balance. No treatment is required other than informing the family about the situation and providing adequate support. These symptoms will decrease and disappear on their own within 2-3 weeks. If these symptoms do not disappear within 2-3 weeks, become worse, or are accompanied by suicidal thoughts and inability to care for the baby, this condition is called postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression and Reasons; Postpartum depression includes the same symptoms as motherhood blues (mood swings, unhappiness, insomnia, restlessness) but in a more intense way. Anxiety is much higher in postpartum depression. For example, mothers feel much more and exaggerated concern for the baby's health and well-being. These concerns can sometimes turn into an obsession about harming oneself or the baby. Postpartum depression is more common in cases of previous anxiety disorder, depressive episode, lack of social support, stressful life events, marital problems, mother's dissatisfaction with her marriage, low socio-economic conditions, and unwanted pregnancy. The average incidence rate is 10 – 20%. It is known that sudden drops in hormones present during pregnancy and birth trigger depression. For example; After birth, there is a serious decrease in the estrogen and progesterone hormone levels secreted from the ovaries. Again, changes in thyroid hormone levels cause fatigue. It causes sadness and depression.
Symptoms;
- A feeling of intense sadness without any reason - Feeling of exhaustion or sleep problems (too much or inadequate sleep)
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Irritability and feelings of rejection of the baby
- Extreme anxiety about the child's future
- Inability to care for the child
- Loss of desire and interest
- Changes in appetite
- Negative feelings that the situation will not improve
- Loss of interest in activities -Suicidal thoughts
These symptoms begin within 2.8 weeks after birth. They last for at least 2 weeks and at most 1 year. In women who do not receive treatment, they resolve spontaneously within 3 months - 1 year.
What should be done?
Sometimes, despite all supportive treatment, disease symptoms may become more severe, then other treatment methods such as psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs are considered.
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