Postpartum Depression (Postnatal Depression)
A type of clinical depression that occurs after childbirth.
Part of: Depression
About Postnatal Depression (Postpartum Depression)
Pregnant women usually expect the days and weeks following the birth of their child to be a happy time. But many have also heard of severe mood swings that often start a few days after giving birth, known as the baby blues. If the sadness does not go away, it might be the start of a depression.
Depression after childbirth is called postnatal (or postpartum) depression. It is quite similar to the kind of depression that can affect people in any phase of life. Except for one major difference: mothers often feel very guilty about not being able to care for their baby because they are so unwell. Many mothers feel too ashamed to speak with others about how they are feeling. They are afraid of not living up to the idea of a “good mother” and might become more and more withdrawn. Some women say that they no longer recognized themselves.
Taking care of a newborn baby is a real challenge. Some women do not get the emotional and practical help that they need. It is not always easy to deal with all of the changes that need to be made to care full-time for a new baby. Coping with the everyday stress and getting used to your new life can be very difficult — and sometimes it may even be depressing… Read more about Postpartum Depression