Welcoming a new life is often described as one of the most beautiful experiences in the world. The tender moments spent with one’s newborn child is something a mother cherishes all her life. But for some new mothers, this phase might bring overwhelming emotions, sadness and anxiety.
My first introduction to postpartum depression did not come from a medical article or a real-life incident. It came from a haunting short story called The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It was a part of our syllabus in college and this was a piece none of us were prepared for. The short story jolted us—it painted the picture of a woman’s gradual descent into postpartum depression, something people struggled to talk openly about in the late 19th century.
Things today have changed only a little. I have noticed how conversations around postpartum depression have slowly started making their way into the public space. It is the celebrities who have shared mostly; American actress Brooke Shields openly spoke about her struggle with postpartum depression on Oprah Winfrey’s show. She stated, “I suffered from postnatal depression after Rowan was born. I had a healthy, beautiful baby girl and I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t hold her or smile at her. All I wanted was to disappear and die.” Shields talks about how, although she gave birth to a healthy baby, she felt disconnected from her. It wasn’t that she did not love the baby, she simply struggled to form a bond with her and was overwhelmed by the sadness of it all. According to the World Health Organisation, 10-13% of women worldwide experience postpartum depression. It’s a very real health concern that deserves our attention.
Postpartum depression is a condition that is caused by a combination of hormonal changes, emotional stress and physical exhaustion that comes during and after childbirth. Postpartum depression may last for weeks or months if left untreated. Families must identify the signs and seek professional help, as this is crucial for recovery.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It is an occasion to honour the love, care and hard work of mothers towards their children. Celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year, Mother’s Day is dedicated to showing gratitude to mothers for raising us. On this day, let’s talk about postpartum depression in new mothers and the signs to watch out for.
The national award-winning Kannada movie, Sharpanjara, poignantly captures the story of a young woman dealing with postpartum depression. It shows how she slowly slips into depression after childbirth and her husband and family fail to see the signs.
In fact, one of the first signs of postpartum depression that families need to watch out for is persistent sadness. This is not the usual tiredness or low mood that many mothers experience after giving birth. This sadness stays for days, weeks or months making it extremely hard for the new mama to feel happy and be herself. She might find herself crying without any reason, feeling empty and hopeless without apparent cause. This sadness also makes it difficult for her to bond with her baby. It’s important that family members and friends pay close attention to these signs and seek medical attention and care if required.
Imagine losing interest or pleasure in things that once made one happy? Yes, a common sign of postpartum depression is losing interest in things and activities that one is known to love. If family members notice that the new mama of the house no longer enjoys activities like watching their favourite shows, reading, listening to music or eating certain foods, they should know that it could be a sign of her suffering from postpartum depression.
Many new moms avoid social gatherings citing exhaustion but when they show a complete disinterest, it should raise an alarm. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women with postpartum depression often report a noticeable drop in interest and pleasure in their daily activities. This also leads to them feeling isolated and distant from their families. Noticing this change can help in understanding what the new mother is going through and offer the right kind of support.
Many women going through postpartum depression tend to experience a deep sense of hopelessness. They report feeling like things will never get better for them. Or that they will never be any good as mothers. A few also believe that no matter what they do, nothing will ever improve.
Popular model and television personality Chrissy Teigen has spoken about how she felt after giving birth. “It was a sad existence. There were no highs. It was a flatline of life for a few months. You hear these horrific stories of people not seeing their child as theirs or wanting to hurt them and I never felt that way. That’s why I put off getting it checked as I hated myself, not my child…” She spoke of how she felt completely empty and hopeless after giving birth, even though she was surrounded by love and support. This highlights the fact that postpartum depression can affect anyone, even someone with ample help and support.
It is crucial for families to pay close attention and stay aware of these signs, especially because new mothers may not always realise that they need help.
Another common symptom of postpartum depression is intense feelings of guilt. A new mother might constantly blame herself for not being good enough, for various reasons such as not being able to bond with her baby or not feeling happy all the time. These thoughts can be painful and make her believe that she is failing at something that comes naturally to many.
A study published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health found that feelings of guilt and self-blame are strongly linked with postpartum depression. This also makes recovery extremely difficult when not addressed properly and on time. Having dear ones remind new mothers that they are valued and are absolutely okay in feeling this way is a must. Helping new moms on their mental health journey and seeking help for them and with them is crucial.
It’s natural to feel tired after having a baby, but with postpartum depression, the exhaustion can be extreme. Such mothers may feel drained both physically and mentally even after getting enough rest. Little tasks like getting out of bed, showering or feeding the baby can feel overwhelming to them.
A study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing shares that fatigue is one of the most reported symptoms among women with postpartum depression. It makes feelings like sadness or guilt a lot worse. When close family members like the spouse notice these drops of energy staying longer than they should, they must offer support, be it through emotional assurance or practical help.
Postpartum depression is a serious yet hidden condition that affects many new mothers, often unbeknownst to their closest people. The condition goes beyond usual tiredness, mood swings and brings intense feelings like sadness, hopelessness, guilt and fatigue to the fore. The important thing as a family member or beloved is to pay attention. It is not the new mother’s fault nor will she get over it without proper help. With awareness, conversations and support, women going through postpartum depression can heal, improve their wellbeing and eventually feel like themselves again.
Postpartum depression is a type of depression that happens after child birth. It affects a new mother’s mood, energy levels and makes it hard for her to care for her baby.
Some of the signs of postpartum depression are constant sadness, loss of interest, hopelessness, guilt and trouble bonding with the baby.
Postpartum depression can affect new mothers irrespective of their age and background.
Postpartum depression is treatable with counselling, support, and sometimes medication.
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