Postpartum depression is a type or type of depression that affects many women after giving birth, although it can also occur in parents and caregivers. This type of depression will be characterized by quite intense feelings of sadness, anxiety and tiredness, which will make it difficult to care for the baby and perform day-to-day tasks. It is essential to understand the causes of postpartum depression, especially when it comes to preventing and treating it.
In the next article we are going to talk in detail of the different causes or factors which can lead to postpartum depression.
What is childbirth depression and how long does it last?
It is a type of depression that women suffer after giving birth and can occur a few minutes after delivery or arise after a year. In the vast majority of cases it usually occurs during the months after childbirth itself. It is believed that 13% of women who have been mothers may suffer from this type of depression.
Postpartum depression is a serious and common mental health problem that is related to with the mother's suffering. The first six months after giving birth usually represent a high-risk time for suffering from depression.
What types of factors will cause a woman to suffer postpartum depression?
There are a number of factors that can cause a mother to suffer postpartum depression:
Hormonal and biological factors
- After giving birth, women will suffer hormonal changes quite important. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels increase considerably, but when giving birth they decrease significantly. These strong hormonal changes end up affecting brain health and can lead to postpartum depression.
- Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. Hormonal changes will significantly alter the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, related to mood. A reduction in these neurotransmitters can lead to the aforementioned depression.
- It may also happen that people with a family history of depression have a higher risk of developing postpartum depression.
- There is no doubt that the birth process is quite exhausting. Complications during childbirth or a long recovery can cause quite a stress and fatigue, increasing the risk of postpartum depression.
Psychological factors
- Pregnancy and childbirth itself can overwhelm and overcome to many women. Continued worries about the baby's health, the responsibilities that becoming a mother will entail, and the fear of failure as a mother can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety.
- The first months of the newborn involve, among other things, sleeping poorly and not getting enough rest. All of this can cause many women to suffer mental and emotional exhaustion that can lead to postpartum depression.
- The pressure that can exist when it comes to being a perfect mother, can give rise to feelings of guilt that lead to the aforementioned depression.
- women who have history of depression or mood disorders They are at higher risk of postpartum depression. This kind of history can make women much more vulnerable to the emotional changes that come after giving birth.
Social factors
- Lack of social support It may be one of the causes of postpartum depression. Women who feel alone in raising their baby or who do not have a support network of close people are more likely to suffer from depression.
- Problems with your partner can cause a significant increase in stress levels and lead to postpartum depression. No doubt lack of communication with the partner, It can negatively affect women's mental health.
- The birth of a baby will cause significant changes in daily life. New responsibilities coupled with a loss of independence can be quite stressful and cause feelings of isolation and loneliness. Women who do not have time to take care of themselves are susceptible to postpartum depression.
cultural factors
- In many cultures, talking about problems that affect health It's a real taboo and many women may feel shame or guilt about having postpartum depression. All of this is going to make it really difficult for women to seek help and receive all the necessary support.
- Cultural expectations about the mother's role in parenting and appropriate behavior during pregnancy and childbirth can be quite overwhelming. Women they can feel a lot of pressure when it comes to meeting certain standards, something that will increase stress and the risk of suffering from postpartum depression.
- In some communities, be able to access mental health services and support resources It is quite limited. Women who lack such services will have a greater risk of suffering complications and mental problems.
In short, postpartum depression is a quite complex disorder that can be due to all kinds of factors: hormonal, biological, psychological, social and cultural. Each woman may experience postpartum depression in a different way, and it is key to take these factors into account when addressing this mental disorder in the best possible way. Social support coupled with access to mental health resources and the elimination of different types of stigma are key components in helping women overcome postpartum depression. The causes of postpartum depression must be clearly understood so that mothers can have the necessary support to overcome this type of mental disorder.