Having a baby is a life-changing experience. Pregnancy and the first year after the birth are periods that many parents find quite stressful. The birth of a baby is an emotional experience and, for many new mothers, feeling tearful and depressed is also common.
However, sometimes longer periods of depression, known as postnatal depression (PND), can occur during the first few weeks and months of the baby's life.
PND can have a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, and many women are unaware that they have the condition. It is therefore important for partners, family, friends and healthcare professionals to recognise the signs of PND as early as possible so that the appropriate treatment can be given.
Following childbirth there are three different types of depression, which are outlined below.
Baby blues
Baby blues is a common cause of feeling low, and it is the least severe type of PND. It does not usually last very long, starting from around the third day after birth and lasting until around the 10th day. During this time you may feel tearful and irritable, but no medical treatment is needed.
Postnatal depression (PND)
Postnatal depression (PND) affects about one in 10 mothers in the UK, and usually develops in the first four to six weeks after childbirth. However, in some cases it may take several months to develop. If you feel depressed for most of the time, and the feelings do not go away, you may have PND. Your GP will be able to determine whether you have the condition and, if you do, suggest an appropriate course of treatment.
Postnatal psychosis
Postnatal psychosis is a rare but severe form of depression. It develops in about one in 1,000 mothers. Symptoms can include irrational behaviour, confusion and suicidal thoughts. Women with postnatal psychosis often need specialist psychiatric treatment.
Although postnatal depression is more common in women, men can be affected too. As the birth of a new baby can be a stressful time for both parents, some fathers feel unable to cope, or feel that they're not giving their partner all the support she needs. They can also find it difficult to adjust to the big changes and the demands made by a new baby.
Postnatal depression can put a strain on a relationship. This can cause the break up of some relationships, which is why it's important to recognise the symptoms of PND at an early stage and take steps to get treatment.
Myths surrounding PND
PND is often misunderstood and many myths surround the condition. These include:
- That PND is less severe than other types of depression. In fact, PND is as serious as other types of depression.
- That PND is entirely caused by hormonal changes. PND is actually caused by many different factors.
- That PND will go away by itself. Unlike the baby blues, PND can only be resolved with treatment.
PND can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but you should be reassured that it's always treatable. It's very important to understand that having PND doesn't mean that you don't love or care for your baby.
