What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs soon after having a baby and can last for months after delivery.

What are the symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

Symptoms for postpartum depression include but are not limited to:

• depressed mood
• loss of pleasure in daily activities
• changes in appetite or weight
• sleep problems
• fatigue
• feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• difficulty concentrating
• in some cases, thoughts of suicide

What causes Postpartum Depression?

The exact cause of Postpartum depression is unknown; however, changes in hormones during and after pregnancy may produce chemical changes in the brain that could play a part in causing depression.  Having postpartum depression does not make a woman a bad mother and does not mean she has done something wrong to in some way bring this upon herself.

Who is at risk?

Although not much is know about why some women are more at risk for getting postpartum depression than others, some risk factors include:

• Having previous experiences with depression and anxiety disorders
• Having a mother who suffered from postpartum depression
• Lack of social support
• An unplanned pregnancy
• Complications during pregnancy and/or delivery

How is Postpartum Depression treated?

It is important to remember that postpartum depression is treatable and temporary.  Treatment methods typically depend on the severity of depression; however, the most common forms of treatment include medication and/or counseling.  Support groups with women also experiencing postpartum depression can also be useful.

What types of medications can help and will they harm the baby if breast feeding?

Typically, antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat postpartum depression.  Because some antidepressants can affect a newborn through breast milk, researchers have carefully studied which antidepressants will affect a baby the least.  For this reason, it is important to let physicians know if you plan to breast feed while being treated for postpartum depression

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression occurs in about 10% of pregnancies (approximately 1 in every 675 births or, 400,000 Americans).

How is Postpartum Depression different from postpartum blues (the baby blues)?

Postpartum blues is a less severe form of depression than that of postpartum depression

What sort of research on Postpartum Depression has been done in the past?

A considerable amount of research has been done on postpartum depression.  The following links are just a few of the many studies that cover the wide range of research done on postpartum depression.

How long does Postpartum Depression last?

The length of postpartum depression varies among women and may depend on the severity of symptoms experienced.  If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and can last for as long as two year.  When treated properly, most women can achieve positive results in two to four week and have complete remission from postpartum depression six to eight weeks after beginning treatment.

My partner has Postpartum Depression, what can I do to help her?

The most important thing you can do to help your partner cope with postpartum depression is support and help her whenever possible and not judge her for feeling depressed during a time most consider to be joyous.  Talk to your partner's doctor and/or therapist to find out more specific ways to show support.

How can I better take care of myself if diagnosed with Postpartum Depression?

There is a lot you can do for yourself to help recover from postpartum depression.  Getting a lot of rest is very important, as is spending time with others rather than alone.  Avoid putting pressure on yourself to do everything – talk to your friends and family about how you are feeling and ask for their help until you recover.  Lastly, join a support group or talk to other mothers so you can learn from their experiences with postpartum depression.

How do I know if I need to seek medical care?

Regardless of the severity of your depression or symptoms, notify your doctor immediately if you feel you might be suffering from postpartum depression so you can begin any necessary treatment as soon as possible.

Where can I get treatment for Postpartum Depression?

Finding treatment and support for postpartum depression is not as hard as one might imagine.  Hospitals and maternal health care centers are great resources and can refer you to therapists as well.  Below is a list of hospitals and maternal health centers around Iowa where you can turn to as a source for beginning treatment:

Is there anyway to prevent Postpartum Depression?

Although there is no one sure way to prevent postpartum depression, there are a few tips that may help prevent the onset of symptoms:

• Find time to relax, even if it's only for 15 minutes a day.
• Try to sleep when your baby is sleeping – it's the perfect downtown to rest and catch up on sleep.  Mothers who are able to catch up on lost sleep are less likely to become depressed.
• Make time to exercise – you will feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally.
• Don't except to be a perfect parent.  Have realistic expectations of what motherhood will be like to prevent yourself from experiencing let downs when something may not go as you planned.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help.  Whether from a partner, parent, or friend, asking for help does not mean you are a bad mother and when you share the responsibility, you will feel less stressed out and less likely to get depressed.

What are some possible complications associated with Postpartum Depression?

When left untreated, postpartum depression can last as long as two years and has the potential to develop into major depression.  Complications can include, but are not limited to increased risk of alcohol/tobacco dependence, increased risk of physical health problems, and in severe cases, suicide.