Depression - postpartum

Alternative names

Post-partum depression

Definition

The first month after a delivery (the post-partum period) is a time of major changes for women. Their hormones and weight are rapidly readjusting. There may be new and stressful changes in relationships with other children, the father of the baby, parents and in-laws, colleagues at work, and friends. Of course, the new baby needs almost constant attention and feeding every two hours, resulting in sleep deprivation. All of these factors can contribute to post-partum mood swings.

If the moodiness only lasts 2 -3 weeks and then goes away, it's commonly called the "baby blues". This natural reaction to stress is experienced by more than half of new mothers.

However, if the feelings of depression or anxiety continue more than three weeks, a more serious condition called post-partum depression may exist. About 10% of women experience significant depression after a pregnancy.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

You have a higher chance of post-partum depression if:

• You had mood or anxiety disorders prior to pregnancy, including depression with a previous pregnancy
  
• You have a close family member who has had depression or anxiety
  
• Anything particularly stressful happened to you during the pregnancy, including illness, death or illness of a loved one, a difficult or emergency delivery, premature delivery, or illness or abnormality in the baby
  
• You are in your teens or over age 30
  
• The pregnancy is unwanted or unplanned
  
• You currently abuse alcohol, take illegal substances, or smoke - these are also serious medical health risks for the baby
  

Symptoms

Most of the symptoms are the same as in major depression. In addition to mood fluctuations, the woman becomes preoccupied with the infant's well-being. The intensity of this varies - the preoccupation may become delusional. Women who are depressed may feel withdrawn and unconnected to their baby, and can even feel as if they might harm the baby.

The presence of severe or delusional thoughts about the infant are symptoms that need immediate attention. These can be accompanied by psychotic "command hallucinations" to kill the infant or delusions that the infant is possessed.

Signs and tests

There is no single test to diagnose post-partum depression. Sometimes depression following pregnancy can be related to other medical conditions. Hypothyroidism, for example, causes symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and depression. Women with post-partum depression should have a blood test to screen for low thyroid hormones. This condition is easily treated with supplemental hormone. Another clue to this condition can be weight gain or failure to lose weight after pregnancy, despite breast-feeding the baby.