Postnatal Depression (PND): What You Need to Know

Welcoming a baby and adjusting to motherhood brings with it a wide range of emotions, ranging from happiness and excitement to stress and anxiety. While it’s natural and common that the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth can affect your mood and feelings, postnatal depression is more than just feeling low, it’s a serious psychological condition that only gets worse if left untreated. At Psylegal, we are highly experienced in treating postnatal depression and helping mothers overcome their debilitating symptoms. Read ahead for what you need to know about postnatal depression.

What is PND?

Affecting 1 in every 7 Australian women who give birth each year, postnatal depression is the name given to depression that develops within 12 months of having a baby, usually during the first few weeks or months. It can start slowly or suddenly, and can range from very mild to severe. The condition usually develops within 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth, but it can sometimes take several months to appear.

What is the Difference Between the ‘Baby Blues’ and PND?

In the days following birth, around 80 percent of new mothers ride a rollercoaster of emotions with more downs than ups. The baby blues usually only last 2 to 3 days and mothers might feel teary, anxious and moody. Generally, with the support of a partner, family and friends these feelings will disappear within a few days. When these feelings linger, it may be a sign of developing postnatal depression.

What are the Signs of Postnatal Depression?

There are many signs, some of the more common ones include:

• having a very low mood lasting longer than a week
• having low confidence and self-esteem
• feeling inadequate and a failure as a mother
• an unexplained lack of interest in the new baby
• having a feeling that life is meaningless
• feeling guilty, ashamed or worthless
• feeling anxious or panicky
• a feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped
• frequently feeling teary and irritable
• headaches, stomach aches, blurred vision
• lack of appetite
• loss of libido
• panic attacks
• difficulty concentrating
• a lack of desire to meet up or stay in touch with friends

Some women may also experience thoughts about leaving their family or become worried that their partner may leave them. In extreme cases, they may also have ideas about self-harm or doing harm to their partner or baby. In the cases, professional help should be sought immediately.

Fathers can also suffer postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is not limited to mothers. Research has found that 1 in 10 Australian fathers experience paternal depression between the first trimester and 1 year postpartum.

What Factors May Contribute to PND?

While it is not known exactly what causes PND, some contributing factors may include:

• the physical changes of pregnancy – even a non-complicated birth is an overwhelming experience for a woman’s body. The addition of hormonal changes after birth and changes to sleep cycles can also play a role in PND.
• emotional changes – adapting to parenthood may be overwhelming for many mothers. There’s the constant demands of a new baby, changes in relationship dynamics with a partner and feelings of a loss of independence.
• social changes – societal demands and expectations can be hard for a new mother to deal with. Adapting to living on one wage may also be difficult.
• a complicated or difficult labour as well as the health consequences of childbirth – such things may include urinary incontinence, anaemia, blood pressure changes, and alterations in metabolism.
• lack of family support – women who do not have close friends and family around may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation leading to depression.
• difficulties with breast-feeding – research has shown new mothers who experience breast-feeding difficulties in the 2 weeks following the birth have a higher risk of developing PND.

Seeking Help and Support for Postnatal Depression

There are many kinds of support and treatments available for women experiencing postnatal depression. Having support from family and friends is one of the most important factors in recovery. Talking about feelings, particularly with other sufferers in support groups or with a professional counsellor can be helpful. In severe cases, medications such as anti-depressants might be required. Remember, PND is a temporary condition that will improve with time and can be effectively treated with the help of support groups, counselling, and sometimes medication.

If you are suffering from postnatal depression, it is important you seek help early. Doing so will help reduce the negative impacts of PND on yourself, your life and your family. The sooner you seek effective help, the quicker you will recover. To book an appointment with an experienced counsellor at Psylegal call 1300 79 22 09 or send us an enquiry online.