Embracing motherhood is one of the best feeling in the world and cannot be expressed in words alone. But birthing a child obviously comes with certain challenges. And one among them is Postpartum!
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Postpartum - also known as postpartum depression refers to the period of approximately six weeks or a lil' more after a woman delivers a child. As the mother goes through tremendous physical and emotional changes, most of them slip into postpartum depression. But it's quite normal and can be tackled with utmost care.
Quick Facts and Figures:
- Not every woman who delivers goes through postpartum (depression).
- According to WHO statistics as on 2018, 22% new mothers have suffered from postpartum depression in India and the percentage is increasing.
- It is treatable with proper medication, counselling and strong emotional support from the partner.
- It occurs due to hormonal changes in the body.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression:
- Deteriorating Health of the Mother: Often due to loss of appetite or poor eating habits.
- Mood Swings: Patterns showing constant changes in mood
- Unable to bond with the baby: Neglecting the baby and not being responsive to the needs of the baby.
- Lack of interest in regular activities: Including physical intimacy with the partner.
- Feeling Hopeless: Feeling hopeless about self and the situation you are in.
- Insomnia: Finding it difficult to fall asleep and not able to catch upon some good sleep.
- Suicidal Tendencies: It might also lead to thoughts of harming the baby along with self.
- Constant Fatigue: Feeling of tiredness even with very less exertion.
- Constant Frustration: Getting angry or reacting in a negative way over petty things.
Tackling Postpartum:
Postpartum is treatable. But you need to ensure the following:
- Acknowledgement: Learn to acknowledge its presence if you as a mother or your spouse (mother of the child) is undergoing it. Acceptance is the first step in healing it.
- Support by the Spouse: The father of the child plays a vital role here. Extend a strong emotional support to your wife. They deserve it all the more during this phase as their body has undergone tremendous hormonal changes and you need to be there for them to overcome this phase. Share the responsibility of attending to the needs of the child and help the mother to bond with the child gradually.
- Healthy Diet: Eating good and healthy food should be the way of life post delivery as well. Most of the women are deficient of a lot of vitamins that lead to various health problems. Hair loss is one such major problem often caused due to poor eating habits. Hence, never compromise on healthy eating.
- Exercising: Start with basic stretches initially and gradual move on to the intense workout sessions depending on your body's capability. Exercising stimulates certain hormones like the endorphin - a chemical in the brain that helps in lifting up mood. Also, exercising is a good way to shed the post pregnancy fat.
- Make time for yourself: Take a break and plan an outing with your friends, go on lunch dates, go to the salon or pamper your self with spa treatments. Make some time to practice and nurture your hobby or passion that you once had for some thing. Engage in various community activities once in a while either virtually or physically. But don't completely isolate yourself.
- Consulting Medical Experts: If the symptoms start getting bigger and louder, it's advisable to seek professional help. Plan an appointment with your medical practitioner or a counsellor.
Remember, Postpartum is just a phase and it shall pass too! :)
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