POSTPARTUM

DEPRESSION
PREPARED BY: ROWILYN B. ADUANA,RN,RM,MAN
What is Postpartum
Depression?
◦ “Postpartum” means the time after
childbirth.
◦ Postpartum depression is a serious
mental illness that involves the brain
and affects your behavior and physical
health. 
◦ Mothers can also experience 
anxiety disorders during or after pregnancy.
How do I know if I have postpartum depression?
1.Feeling restless or moody
2.Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
3.Crying a lot
4.Having thoughts of hurting the baby
5.Having thoughts of hurting yourself
 Cont.
6. Not having any interest in the baby, not
feeling connected to the baby, or feeling as if
your baby is someone else’s baby.
7. Having no energy or motivation
8. Eating too little or too much
9. Sleeping too little or too much
10. Having trouble focusing or making
decisions
Cont.
11. Having memory problems
12. Feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad
mother
13. Losing interest or pleasure in activities
you used to enjoy
14. Withdrawing from friends and family
15. Having headaches, aches and pains, or
stomach problems that don’t go away
What causes postpartum depression?

1. Hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum

depression
2. Other feelings may contribute to postpartum depression:
• Tired after labor and delivery
• Tired from a lack of sleep or broken sleep
• Overwhelmed with a new baby
• Doubts about their ability to be a good mother
Cont.
• Stress from changes in work and home routines
• An unrealistic need to be a perfect mom
• Grief about loss of who they were before having the
baby
• Less attractive
• A lack of free time
You may be more at risk of postpartum
depression if you:
• Have a personal history of depression or bipolar disorder
• Have a family history of depression or bipolar disorder
• Do not have support from family and friends
• Were depressed during pregnancy
• Had problems with a previous pregnancy or birth
• Have relationship or money problems
Cont.
• Are younger than 20
• Have alcoholism, use illegal drugs, or have some other
problem with drugs
• Have a baby with special needs
• Have difficulty breastfeeding
• Had an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
What is the difference between “baby blues” and
postpartum depression?

Many women have the baby blues in the days after childbirth. If you
have the baby blues, you may:
• Have mood swings
• Feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed
• Have crying spells
• Lose your appetite
• Have trouble sleeping
What is postpartum psychosis?

◦ Postpartum psychosis is rare.
◦ It happens in up to 4 new mothers out of every 1,000
births. It usually begins in the first 2 weeks after childbirth.
It is a medical emergency.
◦ Women who have bipolar disorder or another mental
health condition called schizoaffective disorder have a
higher risk of postpartum psychosis. 
Symptoms may include:
• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
• Feeling confused most of the time
• Having rapid mood swings within several minutes (for example,
crying hysterically, then laughing a lot, followed by extreme
sadness)
• Trying to hurt yourself or your baby
• Paranoia (thinking that others are focused on harming you)
• Restlessness or agitation
• Behaving recklessly or in a way that is not normal for you
What should I do if I have symptoms of postpartum
depression?

• Your baby blues don’t go away after 2 weeks

• Symptoms of depression get more and more intense
• Symptoms of depression begin within 1 year of delivery and last
more than 2 weeks
• It is difficult to work or get things done at home
• You cannot care for yourself or your baby (e.g., eating, sleeping,
bathing)
• You have thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby
Ways to begin feeling better
• Rest as much as you can. Sleep when the baby is sleeping.
• Don’t try to do too much or to do everything by yourself. Ask your
partner, family, and friends for help.
• Make time to go out, visit friends, or spend time alone with your
partner.
• Talk about your feelings with your partner, supportive family
members, and friends.
• Talk with other mothers so that you can learn from their
experiences.
How is postpartum depression treated?
The common types of treatment for postpartum depression are:
• Therapy. During therapy, you talk to a therapist, psychologist, or
social worker to learn strategies to change how depression makes
you think, feel, and act.
• Medicine. There are different types of medicines for postpartum
depression. All of them must be prescribed by your doctor or nurse.
The most common type is antidepressants. weeks to start working.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This can be used in extreme
cases to treat postpartum depression.
 What can happen if postpartum depression is not treated?

Untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability

to parent. You may:
• Not have enough energy
• Have trouble focusing on the baby's needs and your own
needs
• Feel moody
• Not be able to care for your baby
• Have a higher risk of attempting suicide