Mental health awareness month is this month so let's talk about some postpartum mental health.
1 in 6 women will be diagnosed with Postpartum Anxiety
1 in 8 with Postpartum depression
30% of women will be diagnosed with Postpartum PTSD
1-2 women out of every 1,000 will experience postpartum psychosis
Perinatal mood disorders can happen anytime from delivery to a year after.
These statistics are based on the women that openly give this information to a health professional or even go to their postpartum appointment; studies show that only 60% of women go to their 6-week appointment. Let's talk about what these postpartum issues are and how to spot them.
Baby Blues
Baby Blues usually appears 1-4 days after delivery and can include frequent bouts of crying sometimes for no reason, sadness and anxiety. These symptoms usually get better within 2 weeks. If symptoms continue after this time period, please reach out your doctor and a trusted friend, partner, pastor or someone who can help support you during this difficult time.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can appear anywhere from 2 weeks post-delivery up to a year after delivery. It is not uncommon for women to experience a perinatal mood disorder and assume that it isn’t related to their postpartum experience because they are so far removed from what is a “normal” postpartum window, which is usually considered 6 weeks. Please speak to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms regardless of when you gave birth. You could be at an increased risk of postpartum depression if you have a history of depression, postpartum depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. If you have limited social support, relationship conflict, pregnancy complications, are younger than 20, a single parent or have a baby with increased needs suck as colic or special needs you could be at an increased risk of developing one PPD.
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum depression includes overwhelming sadness, frequent crying, or feeling like an inadequate mother to an extreme degree. Postpartum anxiety can look like overwhelming worry, not accompanied by sadness. You may feel panicked or overwhelmed with what if scenarios, panic attacks, insomnia, etc. Although postpartum anxiety does not include sadness most mothers that have postpartum depression do report feeling symptoms of postpartum anxiety.
Postpartum depression can include overwhelming sadness, frequent crying, or feeling like an inadequate mother to an extreme degree. Postpartum anxiety can look like overwhelming worry, not accompanied by sadness. You may feel panicked or overwhelmed with what if scenarios, panic attacks, insomnia, etc. Although postpartum anxiety does not include sadness most mothers that have postpartum depression do report feeling symptoms of postpartum anxiety.
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety include disrupted sleep, increased heart rate, nausea, feeling unable to breathe or short of breath, loss of appetite, trouble sitting still, muscle tension. You may have obsessive thoughts over irrational fears or things that probably will not happen, difficulty focusing, irritability, racing thoughts usually about worse case scenarios, trouble relaxing or keeping calm. These thoughts may have you avoiding activities, people or places you would normally enjoy, being overly cautious about situations that aren’t dangerous, obsessively checking things or the need to be in control in all situations. Risk factors for postpartum anxiety include a personal history of anxiety or depression, previous loss of pregnancy or child, having a baby with health conditions, having a history of eating disorders and not having support.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency, women who are struggling with postpartum psychosis (PPP) are at an increased risk of harming themselves or their children. If you or someone you know are struggling with PPP, please seek immediate help.
Most often PPP appears a few days after giving birth but can happen up to 6 weeks after delivery. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, mood changes (mania, hypomania or depression), depersonalization, disorganized thinking or behavior, insomnia, irritability or thoughts of self-harm or harming others including their newborn. There are 3 types of PPP, depressive, manic and atypical/mixed. Depressive PPP is the most common form of PPP which includes depressive symptoms. This type of PPP is the most common case type to include self-harm or harm to a child, hallucinations or delusions. Manic PPP can include agitation, disruptive or aggressive behaviors, talking more or faster than usual and delusions of greatness or importance. Atypical or Mixed symptoms can mix Depressive and Manic symptoms and can look like the person is much less aware of the world around them.
Postpartum women are at a higher risk for developing PPP if they have a history of mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder or schizophrenia. Number or pregnancies, family history, sleep deprivation and hormone changes also play a major factor in the possibility of developing PPP during the 6-week postpartum time frame.
Postpartum PTSD
Postpartum PTSD is the least known postpartum mental health condition, it presents with similar symptoms as other forms PTSD. This PTSD can come from real or perceived traumas from before, during or after childbirth. Women that have PTSD can have sudden flashbacks or memories that bring them back to the trauma they experienced. They may actively avoid triggers, remaining on edge or hypervigilant, feel detached from reality and people, have panic attacks, have difficulty sleeping or remembering things. PTSD risk factors include past trauma sexual or otherwise, PTSD from past trauma or a history of anxiety or depression.
Conclusion
Most new moms struggle not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. Having a supportive village around you is so incredibly important for moms not only for taking the kids so you can get some rest but also checking in on you and your wellbeing. After a new baby is born it can be difficult to look out for yourself especially if its ALL about the baby. Make sure that you are making time to grab a shower, scroll social media, read a chapter of a book or just sit in silence. Even bigger than that communicate with your doctor if you are having mental health issues or struggling in any way. It is so important to fully communicate because the earlier you are able to intervene the better.
In addition to having a supportive village and a doctor you can communicate with is having a doula. A doula is there for YOU, with my postpartum clients I am there to check on mom, help her with anything that is overwhelming her and help educate her on things she might be struggling with. Of course, I'm also so excited to snuggle those new little ones and help with overnights if that's what mom needs. Having one person that is exclusively there to help the birthing person physically, mentally and emotionally can be such a blessing. I have seen the amazing benefits of having a doula support a new mom and her new family during such a transformative time.
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