Motherhood can bring you joy, excitement happiness, but its also known that it may bring you what you really don’t think it could happen to you – postpartum depression. Yes, it is a horrible feeling, especially when you’ve just been blessed with the new love of life – your baby. However, studies now suggest that it’s not postpartum, new moms can also suffer from so called ‘Maternal Depression’.
A study published in the journal BJOG suggests that depression is actually more common four years after giving birth than at any other time during the first year. Here’s a little more on the case from Fox News:
Women who have previously had postpartum depression, a depressive episode at another time during their lives or a family history of depression are all at risk, too. Although it’s rare, women who have none of the risk factors and are seemingly happy can also develop maternal depression.
For starters, lack of sleep and physical and mental exhaustion even during the toddler and preschool years can affect a mom’s ability to produce “feel-good hormones.”
The transition to motherhood, along with feelings of low self-esteem, changes in a woman’s sense of sexuality and self-identity, life stressors such as financial problems or caring for a child with special needs, and a lack of social support can all have an impact.
If you know someone or feel that you might have maternal depression yourself, definitely seek help. Ask your primary care physician for a referral or contact organizations such as
Postpartum Support International http://www.postpartum.net/ and
Postpartum Progress, http://www.postpartumprogress.com/the-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression-anxiety-in-plain-mama-english who can help you find a provider.
