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Postnatal
Depression is actually more common than many people realize and
occurs in about 80 per cent of women after child birth. The feeling
of the 'baby blues' often passes within two days, but if it continues
then this is what is known as postnatal depression (PND).
Postnatal
Depression usually occurs within the first 12 months of having a
baby, often within the first few weeks or months. The severity of the
depression can range from very mild and almost non-existent, to very
severe and long-term and tends to be most common after the first
pregnancy.
Some
women experience depression during pregnancy, this is called ante
natal depression.
The
most common symptoms that you are likely to experience with PND are;
Lowered self-esteem and a lack of confidence, guilt, inadequacy,
negative thoughts, pessimism, feelings that life is meaningless,
irritability, tearfulness, feelings of inability to cope, sleeping
problems, lowered libido, anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations,
loss of appetite, and difficulties in remembering or concentrating on
things. Not every woman will experience all these symptoms as it
depends on the severity of the depression.
Although
the exact cause of PND is not yet known some of the contributing
factors may be:
Physical
Changes Giving birth, easy or not, is a major experience for
the female body and the sudden change in hormones affects the brain's
chemical balance. The fact that there is a new born child around that
needs attention also means that women are less likely to be able to
get the sleep that they need. Becoming exhausted and trying to adapt
to broken sleep does not help the mother get through the initial
depression that they may experience.
Emotional
Changes The adaptation process that new mothers have to take
is made increasingly harder by the fact that there is a new born to
be looked after. Recovery is made harder by underlying factors such
as; broken sleep, changed relationship with a partner, loss of
independence, and the constant demands of the child can sometimes
become far too overwhelming for some women after childbirth. | 
