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Postpartum
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Postpartum Knowledge
Feelings After Birth
Many women are not prepared for the wide range of feelings they may have after the birth but often experience sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, worry or a sense of inadequacy. Every mother is different and may have different combinations of feelings.
If you are experiencing any of the following feeling after the birth or adoption of a baby... you may be suffering from postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Over 15% of women experience some of these postpartum symptoms listed below:
- crying for no apparent reason
- feelings of isolation and worthlessness
- numbness
- frightening feelings and throughts
- extreme irritability, frustration or angry feelings
- worry excessively about your baby's health or your own
- exhaustion
- anxiety or panicky feelings
- guilt
- feelings of inadequacy and inability to cope
- feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
- loneliness
- loss of appetite
- feel constantly tired
- have a lack of feeling for the baby
- difficulty sleeping or eating
- have problems concentrating
- feel an overwhelming sense of loss
These confusing emotions and experiences can be symptoms of postpartum mood disorders and there is help available.
Postpartum Understanding
Some comments from women experiencing postpartum problems:
Mothers:
"I feel like running away"
"I don't feel like myself anymore"
"I'm a rotten person, a rotten mother"
"I feel like I'm going crazy"
"I sometimes think of hurting the baby or myself"
Partners:
"I never know what to expect when I get home"
"Will my partner ever be the same"
"Something is horribly wrong, but I don't know how to help her"
"It's tough to live with a depressed person"
Families:
"Will it ever end?"
"I'm so worried about my daughter"
"Mommy doesn't play with me anymore"
"Mommy cries all the time"
What causes it? Who is at risk?
The real cause of postpartum mood disorders are complicted. Some researchers think it is due to the rapid hormonal changes linked to pregnancy and birth or those with a family and/or personal history of psychiatric problems. Others feel personality and coping skills, if not fully developed, make one vulnerable. Still others argue that lack of social support and information may be responsible. Researchers seem to agree that some of the following social risk factors may predict problems: recent death of a loved one, economic stress, a recent move, relationship problems, etc. No doubt biological, psycholoical and social factors all play a role.
Postpartum Social Support
What Helps....
If you are a woman experiencing these feelings or if you are observing these signs in a friend or family member, contact your health care provider. A complete medical evaluation, including thyroid screening, is necessary. Psychiatric evaluation may be needed. Psychological counseling can be therapeutic. Sometimes medication is recommended. It is very helpful to become a member of a new mother's support group that will provide emotional support and information.
Most woman suffering from postpartum mood disorders realize that something is wrong, but often do not seek help. The important thing to remember is that the symptoms are temporary and treatable with skilled professional care and social support. It is important to remember that you will recover.
Postpartum Information
Description of Postpartum Mood Disorders
Postpartum 'blues' (affecting 60-80% of all new mothers) is often expressed as frequent and prolonged crying, anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, quick mood changes and a sense of vulnerability. It usually occurs within the first 3 days following birth, may continue for a few weeks, and is usually self-limiting.
Postpartum depression (affecting 10-20% of new mothers) is more debilitating and longer lasting than the "blues" and is characterized by despondency, tearfulness, and more intense feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, and faituge. There may also be physical symptoms such as headaches and rapid heart rate. A lack of feeling for the baby is of special concern. There feelings can appear anytime during the first few months to one year after the birth. Unfortunately, women experiencing this form of depression rarely seek treatment althrough almost all respond well.
Postpartum psychosis or puerperal psychosis (found in 0.1% of new mothers) is a serious but relatively rare disorder with reactions such as extreme confusion, refusal to eat, delusions, auditory hallucinations, hyperactivity and rapid or irrational speech. Most of these reactions occur within 3-14 days following the birth. Psychosis is serious and requires immediate medical attention and at times medication and hospitalization.
Visit the Postpartum Support International website at
Postpartum.net
Postpartum Support International offers:
-
PSI Social Support Network
- Essays on Postpartum Illness
- Postpartum Chat Rooms
- Helpful Books and more
Visit the Pacific Postpartum Support Society website at Postpartum.org
Pacific Postpartum Support Society offers:
- Information for mothers and other family members
- True stories of journeys to recovery
- Support
- Resources
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