After the baby is delivered, a mother goes through several physical, emotional, and psychological changes. The transition happens from pregnancy to the postpartum stage. Postpartum starts immediately after childbirth lasting up to 6-8 weeks or until the body returns to pre-pregnancy state. In the postpartum phase, you may feel anything from joy to sadness. Major body changes happen in this phase including breast engorgement and vaginal bleeding.
Giving birth is a major physical and emotional challenge. If you find yourself so overwhelmed by your emotions that it ends up making you feel depressed, then you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization, every 1 in 7 women in the United States, experience Postpartum Depression (PPD).
The best way to identify if you have PPD is to pay attention to how you feel. In case of an overwhelming situation where identifying such symptoms becomes confusing, it is advised to visit your health care professional. Healthcare professionals detect PPD by regular postpartum checkups. It is important not to miss the checkups as the symptoms may vary from person to person.
Here in this article, we will explore the stages, symptoms, and ways to cope with postpartum depression. Let’s get right into it.
Table of Contents
The Three Stages of Postpartum
Postpartum is classified into 3 categories the acute phase, the subacute phase, and the delayed phase.
1. Acute Phase
This is the initial 6-12 hours phase right after childbirth. Mothers are prone to experience Postpartum Hemorrhage. Many rapid changes occur in this phase. Your healthcare providers may care for you by monitoring your blood pressure, heart rate, and bleeding.
2. Subacute Phase
This phase starts 12 hours after childbirth and lasts for about two to six weeks. Major body changes are happening during this period. You are likely to experience a medical emergency. Some of the common concerns faced in this phase are Cardiomyopathy, Urinary Incontinence, and Postpartum Depression.
3. Delayed Phase
This phase starts from about six weeks postpartum to six months postpartum. This phase consists of changes mostly related to the body changing back to the pre-pregnancy state. The physical concerns that might be faced are pelvic-floor dysfunction, painful sex, and uterine prolapse.
Normal Postpartum Symptoms
PPD symptoms can include changes in physical state, emotional state, or both. Let’s discuss some of the commonly faced postpartum symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms are all the physical changes in your body. Some common physical symptoms are:
- Vaginal Discharge- After childbirth, you will continue to have vaginal bleeding even in the case of a c-section. The entire process can last up to 6 weeks. It is recommended not to use tampons and only to use pads during this occurrence.
- Breast Engorgement- You can expect swollen breasts which also can be painful for at least a few days or longer.
- Sweating- You will experience sweating more than common due to the drastic shift of hormones in the body. This is completely normal and may last for up to a week or two.
- Perineum Soreness- The perineum is the space between the vagina and anus. While birth this area stretches and sometimes tears. The entire perineum area can be swollen for weeks. Although it is a common symptom, sitting on a pillow and warm water rinse can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Constipation- In the postpartum period mothers may find it difficult to poop leading this to cause constipation. Stool softeners are provided by healthcare professionals for help.
- Hairloss- Due to hormonal changes hair loss becomes very common in postpartum.
Emotional Symptoms
Emotional symptoms are related to your stress level or state of mind during PPD. Below are some common symptoms:
- Baby Blues- Baby Blues is feeling sad and teary-eyed after giving birth. With the new feelings take you by surprise, this symptom can last for weeks.
- Postpartum Depression- Also known as PPD is relatably common among mothers that causes extreme sadness and depression This symptom does not go away on its own and sometimes requires medical attention.
- Weight loss- Weight loss happens after the body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy and childbirth. The skin may develop stretch marks because of this.
Ways to Take Care of Yourself in Postpartum Depression
One of the most important things you can do after childbirth is give yourself enough rest and time to heal. Postpartum depression is better treated with a healthcare professional’s supervision. However, there are also things you can do to cope with postpartum depression.
1. Prioritize Me Time
In the initial days, you might find yourself stuck on the couch breastfeeding. With household responsibilities and other responsibilities instead of dealing with stress alone, seek help. Let your partner or other caregiver help you with caring for the baby. Some dedicated me time once a week can help you enjoy that walk, movie, or some meditation time.
2. Limit Physical Activity
While you may rush to return to your pre-pregnancy shape, don’t overwork your exercise routine. Most people begin gentle movements after a few days. Women with C-sections might need to wait longer. Begin slowly so you don’t injure yourself accidentally.
3. Healthy Diet
The mama bear needs enough protein. Eating alone won’t cure PPD. However, getting yourself adhered to a strict healthy diet may impact positively your overall well-being reducing the symptoms of PPD.
Check out the 15 Best Nutrient-Rich Foods for Maximum Energy: Fuel Your Body.
4. Rest Enough
Now after birth you not only have a responsibility for a baby but for yourself too. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” might sound like cliche advice. In the early days, the baby might not sleep overnight and may need a lot of time to get adjusted. You can prioritize sleeping anywhere between midnight to morning or continue to nap in between the day.
5. Nutritions and Medications
Now is the best time to pump up yourself with nutrients. Supplements like fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and seafood are an excellent diet. If you are vegetarian you can find supplements at your local store.
6. Regular Checkups
When experiencing postpartum depression, you may often miss your doctor’s appointment. Prioritize appearing for your regular checkups for overall well-being during PPD. Breastfeeding is also found to help reduce the symptoms of depression.
7. Support Network
The days may blend with sleepless nights making you feel isolated and depressed. In this case, it is advised to reduce isolation. Join a support network or at the least talk to your partner or a family member about your overwhelming experience. Speaking to mothers who have previously dealt with PPD might lower the severity of your depression
When to contact a doctor?
The above-given tips are useful in most cases. In case of severe symptoms of depression, it is important to connect with your doctor. Below are some of the examples:
- Feeling persistent sadness and low mood
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Excessive crying
- Fatigue and loss of interest
- Feeling Worthlessness and guilt
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is treatable. Many women experience their symptoms improve in 6 months. Remember to be kind to yourself and prioritize your well-being as much as you can. Call your doctor immediately if you feel confused about the things you might be experiencing.
It is important to attend all your doctor’s appointments even if you feel ok. Motherhood is an experience of mixed emotions like joy and sadness. You are allowed to cry and feel overjoyed. This is the phase where you learn a lot about yourself. Go easy on yourself by seeking help.