Very soon your Doctor may be asking you some questions to determine whether or not you are suffering from depression. The U.S preventative task-force has two recent recommendations in this regard.
The first one being that every person eighteen years and older should be screened, and not only at clinics where systems are in place to connect at-risk individuals to mental health care.
The second recommendation is that women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth also be screened by their primary care physician – two specific groups not mentioned in previous recommendations. Primary care physicians include gynaecologists and obstetricians who give women care while pregnant and during the months following delivery of their babies. I think this recommendation is great as untreated depression in pregnant and new moms is not good for both Mom and baby.
The task force also provides advice about treatment of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Since there are still questions surrounding the safety of antidepressants for foetuses and breast-feeding babies, they recommend that Doctors first try treating women with therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
Depression in new moms is commonly known as Post-Partum Depression which is triggered by child birth and is associated with feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It is often paired with extreme anxiety and is caused by a combination of hormone changes after pregnancy and sleep deprivation.
Is it possible to reduce the risk of Post-Partum Depression?
There are things a woman and her family can do during pregnancy and shortly after giving birth that will lessen her chances of a postpartum mood and anxiety disorder like post-partum depression, or that may, at least, play a role in the reduction of symptoms such as:
1.Nourishment is important to ensure that new moms maintain good energy levels through this tiring time. The family can help out here to ensure that she is getting adequate nutrition and proteins which is required for optimal well-being. Drinking enough water and taking a time-out now and again is important.
2.Rest – While having a newborn surely does make it difficult to get the same quality and quantity of sleep than before, sleep deprivation should be monitored. For women with a prior mental health concern, (especially bipolar disorder), adequate sleep can make the difference in preventing relapse.
3.Support – Instead of seeking advice online, where there is a mix of information not always based on professional opinions, rather seek help from a therapist who is qualified and who will be able to provide proper guidance.
Remember that even women who do the above can still suffer from a disorder like post-partum depression. Doing everything possible to take care of one’s self isn’t a guarantee that you won’t have any form of depression or anxiety, however it can feel incredibly empowering to do your best to care for yourself.