Dawaai Blog

Mother’s Day

Breaking the stigma-PPD

post-partum depression

Mother’s Day is not just about the gifts and the flowers. It is about taking the time to reflect on the
impact that our mothers have had on our lives. It’s important to recognize that for some new moms,
the holiday can be bittersweet. Postpartum depression is a common condition that affects many new
mothers, and it can make it difficult to fully enjoy the joys of motherhood.
Giving birth is an incredibly exhausting and overpowering event that entails numerous hormonal,
physical, emotional, and psychological transformations for a woman during pregnancy. The
mother’s family and social environment undergo substantial changes. Following childbirth, a
mother may experience a range of emotions, from happiness and delight to feelings of sorrow and
episodes of weeping.

Being a mother is a rewarding but also an extremely challenging role. The struggles that start with
pregnancy do not end with childbirth after a span of 9 months but the real hustle begins following
labor.
Here’s what majority of us already know about the physical symptoms that occur post-partum:
 Hair loss and skin changes
 Hemorrhoids and bowel movements
 Vaginal soreness and discharge
 Incontinence
 Tender breasts.

There are a lot of things in the picture following post-partum but mental illness is never one of
them. Here comes the main issue which people around a new mother fail to acknowledge, “Post-
Partum Depression. After childbirth, some women experience a type of depression known as
postpartum depression (PPD), which is a severe mental health condition

It may look different for every woman but commonly includes feeling off-balance, low and guilty,
burnout, anxiety, mood changes, irritability, panic attacks, insomnia, appetite changes, over
concern for baby’s health etc. PPD may also drain marriages and relationships.
Hormonal changes play a significant role in postpartum depression (PPD). During pregnancy, a
woman’s body experiences significant hormonal changes that help prepare her body for childbirth
and motherhood. After childbirth, these hormone levels rapidly shift, which can result in a range of
physical and emotional symptoms. Hormones that are believed to play role in PPD are estrogen and
progesterone. Their levels are high during pregnancy and rapidly decline after childbirth. Low
levels of these hormones have been linked to depression, anxiety, and mood changes in women.
While a woman’s body is already going through these natural changes which subjects her to
develop PPD, lack of social support from her spouse and loved ones also contribute to this illness.
The common behaviors exhibited by people around a new mom are lack of sympathy and body
shaming, The societal pressure on new mothers to “bounce back” quickly and take on the
responsibilities of motherhood with ease can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure in women
who are struggling with PPD. Body shaming can worsen postpartum depression (PPD) by causing
shame and self-consciousness about a woman’s postpartum body. This pressure to quickly return to
pre-pregnancy body shape can lead to decreased self-esteem and exacerbate feelings of inadequacy
in women already struggling with PPD.
It’s important to note that there is no single cause of PPD, and it can affect women regardless of
their background or circumstances.

that can disrupt a woman’s
ability to care for herself and her infant. It goes beyond the typical “baby blues” that numerous
new mothers go through. In some women, pregnancy and labor itself can be overwhelming and
traumatizing which can make a mother feel like not functioning normally ever again.

It’s essential for new mothers experiencing postpartum depression to realise they’re not alone in their struggles. Many women face PPD, and there is no need to feel ashamed. Here are some tips to help cope with PPD:
 Seek professional help: Reaching out to a healthcare provider is crucial if you are experiencing symptoms of PPD. They can help you create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, which may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both. Take care of yourself: While taking care of your baby, it is also important to care for yourself.
Ensure that you are getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and making time for self-care like doing yoga or exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises. Connect with yourself. Do not let anyone make you excuse the way you feel.
Talk to someone: It can be beneficial to discuss your experience with a friend or family member. If you prefer to speak with strangers, joining a support group for new mothers or finding an online community can be useful. Be patient: Recovery from PPD takes time, and it is essential to be patient with yourself. Taking
things one day at a time and focusing on small steps forward is okay.

Doctors are crucial in diagnosing and managing postpartum depression (PPD). Doctors can screen new mothers for PPD during routine postpartum visits by assessing their mood, emotional state, and overall well-being which is something not commonly considered by our health care providers.
Treatment for PPD may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, and doctors can help mothers get the treatment they need. Do not discontinue treatment before consulting with your OBS & gynae or Psychiatrist. Additionally, doctors can provide education about PPD, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, to increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental health conditions.
The role of partners and family members is important in supporting a mother with postpartum depression (PPD). Having a strong support system can be instrumental in a mother’s recovery.
Here are some ways partners and family members can support a mother with PPD:
Understanding: Partners and family members can educate themselves about PPD and its symptoms. Understanding what a mother with PPD is going through can help partners and family members provide better support.
Emotional support: Empathy and emotional support can prove to be a great aid in reducing PPD. The spouse and other family members must provide the necessary emotional support to a mother with PPD by listening to her concerns, validating her feelings, and offering encouragement.
Practical support: Partners and family members can offer practical support by helping with household chores, childcare, and other daily tasks that may be challenging for a mother with PPD.
Encouragement to seek treatment: Partners and family members can encourage a mother with PPD to seek treatment, such as therapy or medication, and can help her find resources and support groups.

Patience and understanding: Recovery from PPD can take time, and partners and family members should be patient and understanding throughout the process.
On Mother’s Day, it’s important to not only celebrate mothers, but also to offer them support, especially those who may be experiencing PPD. It is high time for us to realize the importance and accept the existence of this serious mental illness and normalize the stigma around PPD by playing our parts the best way we can as a society. Partners, family members, and healthcare providers all
have an important role to play in identifying and managing PPD, and providing emotional and practical support to new mothers.
By offering a helping hand, a listening ear, and a kind heart, we can make a positive difference in the lives of new mothers and their families and can ultimately lead to a prosperous society.

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