Depression is actually the most common complication of childbearing. It impacts 1 in 7 birthing parents and 1 in 10 partners, and can begin during pregnancy or within the year of giving birth. Moms who experience pregnancy loss can also experience postpartum depression.
What is It, and What Can We Do About It?
Symptoms of prenatal or postpartum depression include:
- Sadness and crying
- Anger or irritability
- Feelings of guilt, shame and hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Appetite and sleep problems
What causes prenatal and postpartum depression?
This type of depression has a clear link to the hormones of pregnancy. Some people’s brains have difficulty adjusting to the rapid hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, and this puts them at risk for developing postpartum depression. Interestingly, partners also experience hormone changes to prepare them to protect and nurture the new baby, and these shifts can put them at risk as well.
When hormones combine with personal and environmental risk factors then depression can result. Personal and environmental risk factors include: personal or family history of depression or anxiety, history of PMS, inadequate social support, NICU involvement, fertility treatments, marital stress, or recent major life changes.
How is it different from the “baby blues”?
The less severe “baby blues” symptoms may include unexplained crying, irritability or feeling stressed, and these feelings naturally dissipate around two weeks after delivery.
What can we do about it?
Fortunately, therapy has been proven to be highly effective in treating prenatal and postpartum depression. There are evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that can help you feel better and get to a place of full recovery. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, reach out for support. Proper treatment can help you discover the joy in parenting.