Welcoming a new life into the world is a joyous occasion for both parents, but it also marks the beginning of a transformative journey for new mothers. The post-delivery period, which includes the weeks and months following childbirth, is a critical time for bodily and emotional recovery.
During this phase, women experience a range of changes as their bodies heal from the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth. Bodily, the post-delivery period may involve healing from episiotomies or C-section incisions, breast engorgement, and hormonal fluctuations. Emotionally, new mothers may experience a rollercoaster of emotions, including joy, sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion.
Three types of postnatal states
Postnatal blues or baby blues: The baby blues affect between 50 per cent and 75 per cent of people after delivery. If you’re experiencing the baby blues, you will have frequent, prolonged bouts of crying for no apparent reason, sadness and anxiety. The condition usually begins in the first week (one to four days) after delivery. Although the experience is unpleasant, the condition usually subsides within two weeks without treatment. The best thing you can do is find support and ask for help from friends, family or your partner.
Postnatal depression: Postnatal depression is a far more serious condition than the baby blues, affecting about 1 in 7 new parents. If you’ve had postnatal depression before, you risk increases to 30 per cent in each pregnancy. You may experience alternating highs and lows, frequent crying, irritability and fatigue as well as feelings of guilt, anxiety and inability to care for your baby or yourself. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may appear within a week of delivery or gradually, even up to a year later. Although symptoms can last several months, treatment with psychotherapy or antidepressants is very effective.
Postnatal psychosis: This is an extremely severe form of post-delivery depression and requires emergency medical attention. This condition is relatively rare, affecting only 1 in 1,000 people after delivery. The symptoms generally occur quickly after delivery and are severe, lasting for a few weeks to several months. Symptoms include severe agitation, confusion, feelings of hopelessness and shame, insomnia, paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, hyperactivity, rapid speech or mania. Postnatal psychosis requires immediate medical attention since there is an increased risk of suicide and risk of harm to the baby. Treatment will usually include hospitalization, psychotherapy and medication.
There are various causes of postnatal depression. They include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide; depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day for the last two weeks; feeling anxious, guilty, hopeless, scared, panicked or worthless; difficulty in thinking, concentrating, making decisions or dealing with everyday situations, and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities nearly every day for the last two weeks.
Postnatal depression and your baby
Yes, post-delivery depression can affect your baby in many ways.
You may skip your postnatal checkups and not follow instructions from your health care provider; You may find it hard to bond with your baby; Your baby may not breastfeed long, as may make it hard for you and your baby to get used to breastfeeding. Breast milk, as we know, is the best food for your baby through the first year of life, and your baby may not get medical care he needs, as post-delivery depression may make it hard for you to take care of your baby if he/she is sick.
Also, you may not see health problems in your baby that need quick attention and care; it may be hard for you to get your baby regular well-baby care, like vaccinations, as vaccinations help protect your baby from harmful infections, and your baby may have learning, behaviour and development problems and mental health conditions later in life.
Detecting postnatal depression early
Your “baby blues” don’t get better: It’s common to have a dip in mood during your baby’s first two weeks. After that, you should feel better. But if you’re still sad or even hopeless weeks later, and the feelings are growing intense, that’s more than the blues.
Sadness or guilt consumes your thoughts: Feeling upset once in a while is normal. But if you have frequent crying spells, or you often feel unhappy about being a parent, or you’re often “down on yourself” as a mother, these may be among the first signs of postnatal depression.
You’ve had big, stressful changes in your life. Maybe you’ve been fighting with your partner, or your family isn’t helping you care for your baby. Perhaps someone you loved died a short time ago. Stressful events like these can worsen your sadness and trigger postnatal depression.
You think about harming yourself. Thoughts of suicide, or hurting yourself or your baby, are advanced signs of postnatal depression.
Helping a postnatal depressed patient
Know the signs of depression and anxiety and advise your friend or partner to seek medical care.
Be a good listener. Let them know you’re there to listen and help.
Offer to help them with daily tasks like cleaning and running errands.
Offer to help watch their baby while they sleep or rest.
Encourage them to seek help from a therapist or other mental health provider. Offer to set up an appointment or go with them as a support person.
It is important for new mothers to prioritize self-care and seek support during this time. Healthcare professionals play a vital role in providing guidance and resources to navigate the post-delivery period. They can offer advice on breastfeeding, postnatal exercises, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and managing sleep deprivation.
Family and friends can also lend a helping hand by offering assistance with household chores, meal preparation, and providing emotional support. Creating a strong support network can alleviate some of the challenges new mothers may face during this transitional period.
Recognizing the importance of postnatal care, local hospitals and healthcare facilities in Benin City, the Edo State capital, have implemented programmes and services to support new mothers. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive care, education, and resources to ensure a smooth transition into motherhood.
It is crucial for society as a whole to foster an environment of understanding and empathy for new mothers. By raising awareness about the postnatal period, we can promote a culture of support and reduce the stigma surrounding postnatal mental health issues.
