Nature’s way to reward womanhood!

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers-strong, competent, capable mothers”- Barbara Katz

Giving birth for each mother is undoubtedly the most beautiful experience. It causes an overload of overwhelming emotions; joy, anxiety, concern etc. However, sometimes post-delivery the mother may develop a severe condition called postpartum depression.

It is described as depression in new mothers which may be caused due to hormonal drop post-delivery, a decreased sense of worth, too much anxiety about the baby, doubts about one’s appearance, sudden changes in life due to the baby, continuous sleep deprivation, self-doubt about one’s ability to take care of the baby etc. It can last for several months or even a year. As per WHO, the prevalence of postpartum depression has been estimated as 100-150 per 1000 births worldwide.

It is different from baby-blues which resolves in a few days. The symptoms include:

• Excessive crying
• Unable to bond with the baby
• Terrible mood swings
• Insomnia
• Difficult to bond with family
• Fatigue
• Irritability, snapping and anger
• Fear of being a terrible mom
• Anxiety, hopelessness, lack of clarity
• Harming self or baby in worst cases

Dealing with postpartum depression

1. Diet: There are certain food like walnuts, eggs, beans and lentils, fish that replenish the body with trace minerals, vitamin D, essential fatty acids, that help alleviate mood swings.
2. Family support: An understanding partner and family is essential for understanding a suffering mother’s pain and mood changes. She needs a confidante who understands, listens and empathizes without judgement
3. Counselling and talk therapies: An efficient counsellor would talk about the hows, whats of the mother’s life to find the root cause of the condition and instill positivity, increase self-worth and give direction about dealing with the situation and bonding with the baby. 1-hour session everyday till the mother feels better can be done.
4. Medications: In worse cases, the doctor prescribes medications that ease these symptoms and help the mother deal with the new change in her life.
5. Exercise: Exercising and meditation releases happy hormones in the body that can help curb depression

Being a mom is not easy. But that little one is worth every pain!