Post-natal / postpartum depression
Apr 12th, 2008 by Lilian
Many new moms do not immediately notice that they are suffering from postpartum depression after having a baby. Having a baby is a major upheaval in a woman’s life because of the hormone changes and also the lifestyle changes. Sometimes, coupled with meddling in-laws or the lack of help or support from the husband, a woman is often driven to tears and unexplained anger.
Read this revelation from Reuters :
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – As many as one in five women in the United States suffers from postpartum depressive symptoms, according to results of a new survey.
The findings, published in Thursday’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also indicate that certain groups of women, such as those with lower educational levels, are more prone to postpartum depressive symptoms.
The findings stem from an analysis of data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) — an ongoing surveillance project that collects self-reported data on various pregnancy-related issues.
In 2004-2005, the 17 states participating in PRAMS included two questions relating to postpartum depression in their surveys: 1.) “Since your new baby was born, how often have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?” and 2.) “Since your new baby was born, how often have you had little interest or little pleasure in doing things?”
The women were considered to have postpartum depressive symptoms if they answered “always” or “often,” to either question.
source : http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL06967420080410
So, new moms, remember to find peer support and talk to people you trust. Most times, we feel better after someone lends us an ear. Otherwise, tell your ob-gyn and he/she will know how to help you.