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Postpartum Depression Information Sheet

Postpartum Depression
woman postpartum depression

It may seem like everyone is talking about Postpartum Depression. With the increased advocacy from celebrities, the possible availability of a new medication specifically designed for PPD, and more studies done on the real effects and pervasiveness of the illness, it might feel like it’s all anyone wants to discuss when the conversation of pregnancy comes up.

This radical shift from keeping the topic in the shadows to a dinner table discussion is proof of the work that mental health advocates, doctors, and moms have been doing to shed light on the dangers of PPD. 20% of all new moms are medically diagnosed with the condition, which means so many more could be suffering in silence.

The reason so many women keep their depression to themselves is that it’s a confusing time of major life changes that introduces a lot of stressors. Being able to distinguish between normal stress and depression can be a challenge. Knowing what to look and listen for in your own thoughts and mood before you give birth can lead to early detection or even prevention. The earlier PPD is recognized, the better the treatment results.

PPD patient information sheet

With a mission of providing support and treatment for pregnant or postpartum woman and her family, the Postpartum Stress Center has provided a comprehensive list of assessments for medical professionals to use in determining the presence of depression in women they see. The Postpartum Stress Center created a patient information sheet designed to give you the tools to assess yourself. Bring this sheet to your doctor office to make sure all the issues are addressed at your appointment.

Common, but not normal

The emotions and thoughts that accompany PPD are common, but they are NOT normal. They cause long-lasting and far-reaching disruptions of your life the lives of your loved ones. Furthermore, there is a 5% mortality rate for either the mother or infant in extreme cases. But PPD is also NOT your fault. It is a complex combination of risk factors both external and biological that cause this condition. But remember it is treatable. Enlist your healthcare provider, partner, and emotional supporters in the awareness of postpartum depression. And tell them about any history you may have had with past battles with anxiety or depression.

Most woman are keenly aware of making it look like they have it all together after the baby, and are not likely to make others aware of depressive thoughts. Educating your friends and family even before baby arrives is important so they can be there for you, even if you don’t feel like you’re able to ask them for help.

By Anna Pederson

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The Link Between Postpartum Pain and Depression

Does Postpartum Pain Put You at Risk for Depression?

New Research Shows Postpartum Depression May be Caused by Postpartum Pain

Childbirth is a natural process, but the resulting pain associated with delivery is leading researchers to conclude that the ties between postpartum depression and postpartum pain are stronger than previously thought.

A new study presented at the Anesthesiology 2018 conference states that pain specific to the postpartum phase is more directly linked to depression than pain felt during labor or delivery, no matter the birthing method (vaginal or cesarean).

Jie Zhou, M.D., M.B.A., lead author of the study and assistant professor of anesthesia at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, reviewed pain scores (from the start of labor to hospital discharge) for 4,327 first-time mothers delivering a single child. The same women also took the Edinburgh Depression Scale test and had those scores compared against their pain score.

What Dr. Zhou and his team found that the higher the pain score, the higher the depression score. Particularly women who had c-sections produced higher scores. Pain medication like ibuprofen or Tylenol were requested more often by mothers who had high depression scores.

Other factors that could increase risk of depression include obesity; a torn perineum; history of depression or anxiety; and a lower APGAR score, which is the scale used to measure an infant’s health 1 to 5 minutes after birth.

Dr. Zhou noted that “While ibuprofen and similar pain medications are considered adequate for pain control after childbirth, clearly some women need additional help managing pain…We need to do a better job identifying who is at risk for postpartum pain and ensure they have adequate postpartum care.”

Accordant with our mission of providing postpartum support for all women, Mama Strut fully supports this sentiment.

Medication is Not Enough

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 9 women according to the Center for Disease Control, and risk factors include traumatic birth, a preterm baby, history of depression, or low social support. It is a serious condition that many women suffer through silently and alone. It shouldn’t be this way, but one of the symptoms of depression is feeling withdrawn and disconnected from those around you, perpetuating a vicious cycle of numbness and anger that causes many to not seek help. Depression of any kind can have lasting effects on the mom’s emotional well-being as well as the baby’s due to a lack of bonding.

This vital new research on the need for better pain awareness and management opens doors for understanding how to minimize or eliminate the postpartum depression before it even begins. So much mental and physical prep work is done for labor, but popular culture, along with our own healthcare system, by and large glosses over the pain of postpartum. Lives can literally be saved when this topic becomes a natural part of the conversation of maternal health.

If you or a loved one is suffering from postpartum depression, or any mental health issue. Please reach out to a professional