A few days ago we woke up to the news of a mother who had abandoned her baby in a containerLuckily for everyone, he was found on time and the baby is now safe and sound.
We do not really know what led a mother to abandon her baby in those circumstances shortly after birth, according to her testimony, "she was overwhelmed" and did not think what she was doing. One of the possible causes that is considered as a trigger is a postpartum depression.
It is not our mission to judge the mother now, much less with the little information that has transpired, but if we are interested in knowing a little more about that disease that is the postpartum depression, know your symptoms and how serious it can be. That is why we have interviewed Belén Pardo, mother, psychologist and student of the emotional and psychological processes related to motherhood. Also author of the blog on the same theme Mom without complexes.
How can we detect postpartum depression?
We can say that depressive disorders pose a major health problem in today's society. These are more frequent in women, with a greater risk during pregnancy and postpartum.
The symptoms surrounding a depressive condition go through: Low mood, lack of energy and initiative, difficulty making decisions, lack of appetite, insomnia, anxiety, feelings of guilt, irritability, thoughts of death. And these same symptoms can occur during postpartum. Of course, being a postpartum depression to these symptoms can add the inability to take care of herself or the baby, feel fear of being alone with the newborn, have negative feelings towards your own child.
If some symptoms have already occurred during pregnancy, the risk of postpartum depression is much greater. But it does not always happen, on other occasions the great tsunami ensues after giving birth.
Is this type of depression frequent or are they isolated cases?
Postpartum does not justify the symptoms described above. A high percentage of women may feel sadness or melancholy as a result of the physiological and hormonal changes of the puerperium (for which continuous support is also necessary), but only between 10 and 15% of these cases it ends in a postpartum depression.
Is there a prone profile?
There are a number of markers that can increase the chances of suffering from this disorder:
Is it important what surrounds women: family environment, economic or can happen in cases that would be impossible because of the good family situation?
It is the most important. Motherhood is not a painful process, It is not 'normal' for a woman to be sad as soon as she becomes a mother. But the reality is that the figures around this condition are increasing in recent times and now women are starting to tell. So, what's going on?
Many women go through really terrible experiences when it comes to having their children
Women face a highly demanding social, work, family and economic environment. It usually happens that they have waited a long time to find the right time to be mothers. Then comes the time to deal with pregnancy, the inevitable physiological changes of this stage are the inevitable labor and social changes. And of course the family pressure (sometimes) where being a first time happens to be considered a girl and is treated with disdain.
Nor should we take away importance at the time of delivery and at the beginning of breastfeeding. Two situations that are extremely relevant for the beginning of the puerperium of women.
How many times have we heard that 'talk about childbirth is healing'?
This happens because many women go through really terrible experiences when it comes to having their children. Obviously that marks them.
The same happens with the onset of breastfeeding. If you have not received support and difficulties have arisen, the markers skyrocket. Feelings of guilt, sadness and negative feelings are normal if breastfeeding does not come to fruition.
Women obviously balance between two absolutely opposite options: motherhood and ... everything else! And that 'everything else' does not make it easier to have children.
For all that has been said, a woman with a friendly family and social environment, pro-maternity, who receives the desired support at this special moment in her life will be less likely to suffer from postpartum depression. Obviously regardless of the history of psychiatric or other illnesses that go beyond social or family influence.
Mild cases and serious cases? (What can we consider, if possible, as a mild and serious case)
We must differentiate between melancholy or sadness and depression. The first can happen as a result of hormonal changes or even due to lack of support. But usually yields in the first days. Depression, on the other hand, continues over time, symptoms increase and become unstoppable.
What to do in those cases? Where can you go?
The first thing that can be done is to prevent. The woman must know more about motherhood, many of them face this world at the same time they see the test positive. We must break myths, lose fears and normalize what we have been doing since the world is the world, which is nothing other than giving birth and raising. And above all, ending the belief that having children will not allow you to do other things in life. Something absolutely false that we should convince them.
We must end the belief that having children will not allow you to do other things in life.
But if it has already happened, what do we do? Put ourselves in the hands of a professional as soon as possible. Go to a psychologist or psychiatrist who can assess the present situation and establish a treatment. Generally, pharmacotherapy will be accompanied by psychotherapy. We must overcome social taboos and let, when faced with a problem, the right professional treat us with the resources that are known to work.
If you doubt where to go, check with your midwife or your GP So they can guide you.
And, by the way, drug treatment does not imply ending breastfeeding. Many of these drugs are compatible and can be taken by the mother. Check here if you have questions.
Do you think that the health personnel who care for a mother after childbirth are prepared to detect such a problem?
Postpartum depression can occur either during the first three months of the puerperium or even up to a year later. The healthcare staff attending birth may not be able to detect these first symptoms, but there are previous markers or history.
But we must not forget that the newly released mother will later go through the consultations of different specialists who of course could notice an anomalous behavior, even if it is only compared with that of the hundreds or thousands of mothers who see in their daily professional practice: midwife, gynecologist , pediatrician, nurse….
However, it would not be just that these health personnel were prepared for early detection, but that were prepared to give full and respectful attention to women. Sometimes this does not happen and that leads to the perfect breeding ground for the appearance of the first symptoms. Continued support, help in the presence of difficulties with breastfeeding, respected births. All this would minimize the symptoms of melancholy, feelings of guilt, sadness and anxiety that many women may present after giving birth.
How can your partner realize?
The woman is under a very important pressure where she is encouraged to 'power with everything', she must be strong and not complain.
Your partner will be the one who can detect it before. He knows you perfectly and such a radical change is easily identifiable. But it is important that couples live the pregnancy fully, participate in the whole transformative process that the woman is going through. And they also scare those false myths. If this is done, you will know that these symptoms are not 'normal', that motherhood does not sadden, that hormones may alter us but not in a pathological way.
Is it the same as other mental illnesses?
Yes, it is indeed a mental disorder that is treated with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as well as other pathologies. So you have to give it the importance and consideration it deserves.
Can it lead to ending your baby?
One of the symptoms that may appear, as we have commented previously, are the negative feelings or rejection of the baby, ideas of death, of doing something wrong. The usual thing is to stay in that, in ideas. Although in worst cases the worst can happen, yes.
How do mothers not react and ask for help?
For two reasons, on the one hand we have the taboo of not counting / treating mental illnesses or disorders. Going to the psychologist or psychiatrist is still frowned upon. And on the other, as mentioned above, the woman is under very significant pressure where she is encouraged to 'power with everything', she must be strong and not complain. All this does not ask for help in a timely manner.
Why don't they give the baby to another before they get there?
The most extreme cases are delicate to analyze, it would be necessary to know exactly the family, social and economic circumstances of these women to determine causes. It seems risky to venture a light response.
Is mental illness / postpartum depression undervalued?
What may be undervalued is motherhood.
Of course. In the presence of symptoms, the woman has to be evaluated by a professional. The first signs do not always lead to a depressive condition. On many occasions, resolving some problems, internal conflicts and providing adequate support improves the situation.
What may be undervalued is motherhood. Support, understanding, friendly and respected environments, will minimize the impact of this painful disease.
And of course Let's get used to using the word prevention associated with depression. Some research indicates that regular physical exercise, exposure to sunlight, sharing with other women what they experienced in this precious moment of their lives and the consumption of Omega3 help in the prevention of postpartum depression.
Thank you very much to Bethlehem for giving us your time to clarify our doubts about this disease, it has been a pleasure.
