Having a child is priceless. It is a wonderful experience for both a man and a woman. In fact, it can bring an unexplainable joy even to the grandparents and the entire family!
However, childbirth is a natural process that brings about a lot of changes in a woman’s body; not only physically but also emotionally and mentally. Some of these changes will bounce back to their original state, but some will remain if not addressed right away.
Depression
Among the many changes that a woman may experience after giving birth is depression, commonly known as postnatal or postpartum depression. This condition is mainly due to the hormonal changes. It may also occur while a mother is pregnant, but the symptoms may get worse after delivering the baby. And again, this includes physical, emotional, mental, as well as behavioral changes. Some women may not notice it immediately, but depression can take up to a year after having a baby. It can even take more than that. But either way, this is a condition that needs to be addressed.
Major causes
Like what was mentioned earlier, the main cause of depression in a woman is the changes of the hormonal levels in her body. While being pregnant, the estrogen and progesterone levels may rise but it drops down shortly after delivery. This sudden change is believed to trigger depression. Studies have also shown that even a small change in the hormonal level can actually cause major changes.
Most of the time, depression among new mothers is left undiagnosed and untreated, that is why the condition gets worse. Some women even end up dealing with it all their life.
Below are some of the known causes of depression:
Low self-confidence
When a woman gets pregnant, she is most likely to gain weight. Some women find it quite difficult to shake the extra weight off even after pregnancy. As a result, the mother loses her self-confidence. The same is true when it comes to vaginal health. Since the vagina gets stretched out during delivery, a lot of women are left with loose lady parts. And once again, this reduces their self-esteem.
To boost a woman’s self-confidence, she should spend time and pamper herself. Working out would be of great help too.
Lack of support
Another potential cause of depression is the lack of support from family members. New moms are faced with a huge challenge in taking care of the baby, and if she is unable to do so, she finds herself incompetent. Therefore, the husband and the rest of the family should also support her.
Final thoughts
Regardless of the cause, depression should be treated as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may become a life-long hurdle. You can also seek the assistance of a doctor or psychologist to help you out.