The Facts
Having a baby is one of life's most wonderful experiences. It's exciting and joyous, but it can also be very frightening. After a woman has had a baby, she may find that she is confused and overwhelmed about the various emotions that she feels. She may worry that she's unable to deal with the responsibility of being a full-time parent.
After childbirth, many women experience symptoms of depression that can range from a brief attack of the "baby blues" to a serious and major clinical depression known as postpartum depression. A great majority of new mothers, about 80%, will experience a mild form of "baby blues", usually within a few days after giving birth. These feelings will usually resolve on their own and disappear over a few weeks time. Postpartum depression affects about 10% to 15% of new mothers. This type of depression can affect women who have never been depressed before. Approximately 50% of women who were depressed during or after their pregnancy will also experience depression during future pregnancies.
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum depression. It is relatively rare, and requires immediate discussion and treatment with a qualified health-care provider.
Causes
There has been no single cause identified for postpartum depression.
In fact, many factors can contribute to it. They may include:
- hormonal changes
- disappointment in birth experience
- a sense of loss from no longer being pregnant
- level of marital satisfaction
- caring for a very needy baby
- lack of family and social support
- exhaustion
- family history of postpartum depression
- history of depression