This is not a simple question. It affects everyone in our society, from healthcare professionals to mothers and friends. Why? The most supportive societies are those where women receive the greatest amount of support. In societies with paid leave and automatic support in postnatal health, household chores, and other areas of the family life for women – check this out!
After childbirth, many women suffer from PPD and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA). Yet we have only talked about this problem for little more than 10 years. Marie Osmond’s appearance on Oprah 12 years back to discuss her PPD experience and shed some light was a great contribution. PPD, and PPA didn’t have a face up until that time. It wasn’t something that was discussed in polite companies. The image we all had was of a “happy motherhood with a perfect baby”. That image made it difficult for mothers who needed help to reach out.
PPD, as a disease and symptom, brings up several thoughts:
1. Fatigue or depression: The pregnancy and birth process is the most stressful of all normal bodily processes. Some women bring a new child home, but also have small children to look after and a husband. All day long, new babies need constant attention. Nursing, feeding and lots of body touch and soothing are required. The mother is unlikely to sleep through the entire night. A lack of sleep contributes to a negative mental state. Mothers can be exhausted by caring for their family and an infant. New mothers who have had a C section are also in recovery from surgery. Treatment of exhaustion, just like treatment of depression, is equally important.
2. Nutritional Decline: A baby’s body is made entirely from nutrients that its mother’s blood provides. Placentas are also created from nutrients given by mothers. The placenta is responsible for transferring nutrients to the fetus from the mother. Nature has made it so that if there is one person who will suffer, it is the mother. As blood is produced from nutrients during childbirth, some mothers lose a large amount of blood.
Researchers have found that a lack of certain nutrients such as DHA, EPA and fish oils can lead to mood swings or depression. The same can be said for a lack in certain B vitamins. All postpartum mothers can benefit by taking a multivitamin and minerals, supplementing with fish oils, and taking calcium and magnesium. Many doctors now recommend that moms continue to take prenatal vitamins after baby’s birth for several more months.
3. Communities:In days gone by, when extended family members lived close together or in the same area, a newly-born mother was able to rest and recover her strength while her needs were met. Women from the family would cook meals for their families and also comfort her while her body recovered. In the modern day, women are no longer able to receive this kind of help. In the 1950s new mothers stayed on the maternity floor for an average 2 weeks to bond and rest with their baby. Now, she is discharged from the hospital after 48 hours.
Today, there are thousands upon thousands of web pages created by women that have experienced and survived postpartum depressive disorder. These women want to assist other new mothers. These are groups where women can discuss their fears, share stories and tell what worked for them. These mothers need to be aware that they aren’t alone. These sites provide support, community, and information for mothers and families.
4. Health overviewWhen deciding whether PPD is disease or a symptom, an overview of health is important. Health care providers can decide what treatment is best for mothers with PPD and PPA based on hormone testing, thyroid testing, and adrenal stress index tests.
5. Intervention with drugs:Although, we tend toward natural remedies. We have always said there is a right time and place for medications. Mothers suffering from PPD, PPA and other mental disorders may struggle to find the immediate relief that they need through natural therapy. Instead, they will benefit greatly from the medication which can help them overcome the worst symptoms of PPD and PPA. Women with postpartum psychosis may require lifelong medication. No mother deserves to be in pain. If you’re taking drugs for PPD, or PPA it should be as part of an holistic plan including diet, exercise, talking therapy and vitamin supplements.