Postpartum Depression: Navigating New Parenthood from a Hawthorn Psychologist
Becoming a parent is one of life's most transformative experiences. A new addition to the family can be an exciting chapter for most families. It can also be a time of intense emotional change for those who spend months carrying the baby.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health condition that affects many new mothers, significantly reducing their energy or ability to cope with these challenging new parenting moments. At Inner Eastern Psychology, we understand the complexities of PPD and are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective support to new parents.
Understanding Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum is the period after having a baby. Some women / parents can experience the 'baby blues' - feeling sad, worried or tired - within a few days of giving birth, but generally these feelings may stop quickly. If these negative feelings and low energy persist for more than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression, which can affect your behaviour, physical health, and ability to function.
While it is not unusual to feel overwhelmed - feelings of depression and hopelessness, as well as lack of interest or care for the baby, are not regularly expected of a mother. If you experience any of the following symptoms for a long time, you may have PPD:
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
Lack of interest in the baby, or intense anxiety over the baby’s health and wellbeing
Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, particularly around parenting
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Possible thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
However, it's important to recognise and emphasise that PPD is not a character flaw or weakness, and should not be judged. It's a complex mix of physical, emotional and behavioural changes that occur after childbirth, caused by a variety of factors.
Worldwide research has shown that postpartum blues commonly affects about 50% to 75% of new mothers, while the overall global prevalence rate of postpartum depression is approximately 17.22%. Other forms of postpartum mood disorders include postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), affecting 3% to 5% of childbearing women, and postpartum panic disorder, which occurs in approximately 7% of new mothers.
One possible trigger is hormonal change. When you are pregnant, levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone are at their highest ever, and then quickly drop back to normal pre-pregnancy levels within 24 hours of giving birth. Such sudden and drastic changes can lead to depression. Other causes include low thyroid hormone levels, a family history of depression, traumatic birth experiences and more.
How is Postpartum Depression (PPD) Treated
If you or any new parents you know are experiencing these symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you seek help for the health of both mother and baby, as well as other family members and friends around you.
The first step could be seeking a professional assessment to evaluate the symptoms and decide their severity, and explore the best treatment options. Therapy with a psychologist can be one option and can explore approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) to help manage symptoms and address further underlying issues.
Friends and family who may understand the challenges of PPD are also important in providing emotional support. Although the symptoms mentioned above are largely experienced by new mothers themselves, their behaviour and moods will have a major impact on those around them, especially their babies. Postpartum depression should therefore be seen as a family issue, and couple counselling becomes invaluable and indispensable as it can support the whole family unit with skills to optimise mutual communication and understanding.
In some cases where direct and quick action is needed, medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms. The most common type is antidepressants, which can help relieve symptoms of depression. Some can be taken safely while you're breastfeeding if you follow the instructions, but it may take several weeks before they start to work.
Coping Strategies for New Parents
While professional help is vital, there are also strategies that new parents can implement to help manage the symptoms of PPD:
Self-care: Make your well-being a priority. Try your best to have enough sleep (and sleep when your baby does), make healthy choices when fueling your body, and ease yourself into low intensity exercise like walking when you're feeling up to it. You can try to remember these in your mind or on a piece of paper. Remember, take it one step at a time, one day at a time.
Social support: Stay connected with family and friends. We encourage you to talk about your concerns and thoughts when you feel ready to share, or do activities you enjoy together that can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Mindfulness and relaxation: Connect more with nature if possible. Try techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga to manage stress and improve sleep.
Set realistic expectations: Accept that parenting is a learning experience and perfection is not the end goal. We encourage you to try your best to be open to asking for help, and to explore ways to overcome challenges you face in parenthood.
Postpartum depression is a serious but treatable condition. With the right support and treatment, it's possible to manage the symptoms and enjoy parenthood. At Inner Eastern Psychology, we have psychologists with professional experience in PPD and parenthood who understand your needs and are committed to supporting new parents through this challenging but rewarding journey. Some psychologists are also trained in the non-directive pregnancy counselling and can provide support to pregnant people and their partners under the Medicare partially-funded scheme.
Seeking help is a sign of strength and courage. If you or someone you know is struggling with postnatal depression, please reach out to us for professional advice and support.