Postnatal Depression

The birth of a baby is thought of as a happy event. It often is. But childbirth and the transition to parenthood have also been found to be a time of major physiological, psychological and social upheaval. It is exhausting and stressful. The time after a birth is now recognized as a time when women are at increased risk of emotional distress and disorders.

Baby Blues

Shortly after giving birth many women feel moody and weepy. You may be feeling happy about your new baby, but still be feeling weepy and sad. You may also feel anxious, not being able to sleep, irritable, and worried about motherhood. These feelings are all very common and are known as the baby blues or the postpartum blues. The Baby Blues occur shortly after the birth due to hormonal changes. After giving birth your hormone levels drop, your milk comes in, your breasts may become engorged and you may feel exhausted. These physical reactions can bring on the baby blues. Emotional factors can also contribute to the baby blues, worries and anxiety about motherhood and the new routine. Your new responsibilities can cause you to feel overwhelmed. The good thing is that the baby blues are not an illness and go away on their own. The only thing a woman needs for the baby blues is good support from the people around her and patience.

Postnatal depression

16 % of women experience depression and anxiety in the year following birth. As pregnancy and early parenthood can be a stressful time, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether you are just feeling a little down or stressed or whether you have symptoms of depression or anxiety. For example, feeling tired, lack of appetite, sleep deprivation and anxiety can be normal feelings after delivering a baby but also symptoms of depression.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of depression are:

• feeling always exhausted or hyperactive
• not being able to sleep even when you have the chance
• feeling teary or crying uncontrollably
• finding that your mood change dramatically
• feeling very irritable or sensitive to noise or touch
• constantly thinking in a negative way
• feeling that you are inadequate
• not being able to concentrate and more forgetful
• confusion and guilt
• loss of interest in the things you liked
• eating too much or too little
• feeling unable to cope
• inability to enjoy yourself
• anxiety and panic attacks
• thoughts about death or harming the baby

Generally diagnosis of depression is made when mood changes last more than two weeks. These mood changes can be disabling in that they interfere with life and how we function. Often these are problems coping physically, psychologically and/or socially.

Who does PND affect?

Postnatal depression can happen to women of any age or ethnic group. The irony is that it strikes at a time that is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your life. PND doesn’t just affect the mother, it’s ripple can be felt by all members of the family, in particular the partner and the children.

Risk factors for postnatal depression include:

• a history of depression and/or anxiety
• a stressful or unplanned pregnancy
• a family history of mental health problems
• a prolonged labor and/or delivery problems
• problems with the babies health and care
• a lack of practical, financial or emotional support
• sleep deprivation

Finally, women who feel isolated either by distance, culture or both are more at risk for postnatal depression.

What can you do?

Postnatal depression can resolve by it self 3 to 6 months after birth, but around 25% of women are still struggling with the symptoms one year after the birth. There is range of effective treatments and helpful services for managing postnatal depression and anxiety. The earlier the woman seeks help the faster she is likely to recover. The type of treatment will vary according to the individual and the seriousness of the illness. Most common and researched therapies for postnatal depression are:

• Psychological therapy with a psychologist or a psychiatrist have been shown to be effective treating postnatal depression. Psychological therapy help by:
  • changing negative thought and feelings
  • encouraging involvement in activities
  • speeding recovery
  • preventing depression from getting serious again

• Medical treatment can help people with depression managing day to day. When people become severely depressed, specific changes in the chemical message system of the brain occur. Antidepressant medication is designed to correct the imbalance of chemical messages. A decision regarding medication should always be done in consultation with a doctor. If a woman is breastfeeding specific antidepressants should be used and always in consultation with her doctor.

Simple things you can do

Sometimes simple things can help improving your mood, such as more sleep (having a nap during the day), good nutrition, and regular exercise. Also, accept help with daily chores or babysitting. Going for regular walks with the pram and meeting friends or other mothers can provide a great help when feeling low.

Places in Vienna where help is available

If you have suspicions that you might be suffering from postnatal depression your doctor should be able to help you with information regarding where to seek further help. Furthermore, if you need more information or help regarding postnatal depression you can contact Any Eltern Kind Zentren der MAG ELF FEM (Frauengesundheitzentren) information at www.fem.at and the Hebamenzentrum information at http://www.hebammenzentrum.at/

Note: Many thanks to Katrin Kristjansdottir (clinical Psychologist MA and a VBC member)  for this article.

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Pharmacies

You will need a perscription from your doctor for most medicines and you have to go to an Apotheke to get them. A list of pharmacies by district can be found on this site (click the button on the selection that says "alle Apotheken"). If you have to fill a perscription after hours, the pharmacies take turn staying open through the night. Use this site as well to find the pharmacy closest to you that is open during non-business hours (click the button on the selection for that says "heute nacht").