The word ‘motherhood’ often has a happy ring to it. The utter of the word can brings floods of memories of new mothers, the coos and cries of the new born and much more. However, motherhood brings with it a sea of hormonal changes, so much so that the entire experience of motherhood leaves some mothers in a state where they are unable to enjoy it at all. The condition is called Postpartum Depression (PPD).
This Mother’s Day, iamin aims to bring to break it down for family members and new mother to recognise the condition at the earliest as Dr Era Dutta, Consultant Psychiatrist at SL Raheja Fortis Hospital, Mahim lists the red flags:
Telling postpartum depression from mood swings
Dr Dutta says that about 10-15% of women are seen to suffer from postpartum depression. Although, she points out that it is necessary to point out, that many new mothers suffer from postpartum baby blues. This is considered a normal phenomenon usually occurring 3 to 5 days after delivery.
About 20-75% new mothers are noticed to have baby blues. It comprises of only transient mood disturbances, sadness, tearfulness, and subjective confusion. This occurs due to the rapid hormonal changes, stress of childbirth and increased responsibility that motherhood brings. This requires only support and education from family members and elders. However, if symptoms of baby blues last for longer than 2 weeks, then it may have to be evaluated by a professional for PPD.
