Postpartum Depression

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression affects some women after they deliver a baby. It’s natural to experience the baby blues and feel sad and exhausted for the first few days because of hormonal changes and the effort involved in giving birth. However, it’s concerning to experience more profound or prolonged depression.

If you feel sad, hopeless, and empty for more than two weeks after your baby’s birth, you likely have postpartum depression. You may feel ashamed about feeling this way at what should be one of the happiest times, but you’re not alone — postpartum depression is widespread, affecting around one in seven new moms every year.

If depression affects your ability to care for yourself and your new baby, Pro Health Psychiatry Nursing Corporation can help.

What symptoms might postpartum depression cause?

Postpartum depression symptoms affect your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. You may experience some or all of the following:

• Despair and hopelessness
• Guilt and shame
• Moodiness
• Irritability
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Low energy and fatigue
• Frequent crying
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulties bonding with your baby

Severe postpartum depression can cause thoughts of self-harm or of harming your baby. If you also suffer from hallucinations and delusions, you could have postpartum psychosis.

You’re likely at higher risk of developing postpartum depression if you have a history of depression or other mental health disorders. Stressful situations and life events during and after childbirth could also trigger postpartum depression.

What happens at my postpartum depression consultation?

At Pro Health Psychiatry Nursing Corporation, each patient receives a thorough postpartum depression evaluation. Your provider spends time getting to know you so they fully understand how you feel and what may be causing or worsening the problem.

Your provider reviews your medical and mental health history and performs a depression screening. They may order blood tests to rule out underlying medical conditions and check your hormone levels.

After childbirth, your body’s production of estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormones) drops significantly. This can trigger many postpartum problems like insomnia, fatigue, and mood changes.

How is postpartum depression treated?

Pro Health Psychiatry Nursing Corporation combines several treatments to help women with postpartum depression. These include various forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy), antidepressant medications, and/or hormone therapy.

Ensuring you get effective treatment eases your symptoms, raises your mood, and improves your relationship with your baby.

To arrange a postpartum depression evaluation, call Pro Health Psychiatry Nursing Corporation or schedule an appointment online today.