Having a baby, for many women, is one of the biggest joys of their lives.
According to non-profit organizationPostpartum Progress, the number might be closer to 20 percent.
Most commonly, it occurs within three months of delivery, according to theNational Institutes of Health.
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Hormonal sensitivity is another factor that can trigger a mood disorder.
This means you’ll probably be more vulnerable to the hormonal rollercoaster that occurs during and after pregnancy.
Thats why shuteye is the first thing doctors focus on for treating postpartum depression.
It might mean having someone else bottle-feed the baby sometimes so she can rest at night.
Doctors also recommend sleeping whenever the baby sleeps.
Some women may need medication so you can get onto a stable sleep schedule.
and if they shake their head no, thats a red flag."
Not all women have all of these symptoms and many women have different symptoms, Coons adds.
Some women may also have one mood disorder, or a blurring of two or more.
Women suffering from postpartum depression may assume that everyone else is basking in the new-baby glow except them.
“They feel ashamed, and think other people think theyre not a good mother,” says Feingold.
The reality is, many other women who are suffering are hiding it.
“Many of them look perfect.
In the most severe cases of postpartum mood disorders, women can experience postpartum psychosis.
It’s very rare, affecting 1 to 2 women in every 1,000, but very dangerous.
Some women will need antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to recover fully, but not all.
In those cases, it may be necessary to stop breastfeeding.
Ultimately, treatment requires mobilizing the support system.
“We often educate the family that getting over this isnt just willpower,” Coons says.
“It really takes a village to support mom, baby, and family after the delivery.”
After a patient experiences postpartum depression, Feingold says she monitors them closely in subsequent pregnancies.
If you seek treatment, and enlist the help of those who love you, it will get better.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
