One of the most painful and helpless feelings for a new mom is when they’re hit with postpartum depression. It can take a toll on their mental health, giving them scary thoughts and anxiety.
During such times, it’s important to be understanding as family members and take their feelings into account. With it, new moms will be able to talk about it more and begin the new mom essentials steps to improving their mental state.
Symptoms:
There are various symptoms of depression and they manifest themselves in different ways. Some of the more common ones include:
Getting angry or sad without warning
Having trouble completing tasks
A feeling that everything is robotic, like just going through the motions
Anxiety around the baby and other children
Guilty feelings about motherhood
Irritable and angry
The other symptoms can be finding little interest in things that they would normally do, upsetting thoughts and more.
How Common Are They?
Depression is one of the most common problems a lot of women experience both during and after the pregnancy phase. About 1 in 8 moms feel postpartum depression after giving birth.
Anxiety is another common factor in the process and is as common as depression itself. It may also happen at the same time as depression.
What are the Risk Factors?
There are a few risk factors, as depression and anxiety can happen to any mom. Some of the more pertinent factors include:
A family history of anxiety or depression
Difficult pregnancy or birthing phase
Giving birth to twins or more
Experiencing problems with the partner
Financial troubles
Receiving almost no support from family and friends.
Can This Affect The Baby?
Yes, there are chances that a post-partum depression-suffering mother can pass on the effects on the baby, albeit not directly. The early bonding phase between mother and child is crucial for their development and becoming close is a huge part of the bonding process. When the mother faces anxiety or depression, during or after, it can become harder to become attached to the baby.
The mother may not be able to find attachment with the baby and also not be able to respond to their needs. If there are older children, they might also miss out on the support as a side effect.
It’s always better to start logging in these feelings and head to a therapist to seek help to get better. Start taking the necessary steps to improve mental health and live a happy life - both for you and your children!
READ ALSO OUR NEW UPDATES
- 5 Cool Christmas Gift Ideas for New Mothers
- What are Some Cool Gift Ideas for Newborns?
- Accessorize Your Baby With Cute Caps, Mittens, and Booties This Winter
- Your Little Explorer's Uniforms are a Great Addition to Your Baby Hamper!
- Need Gift Ideas For Newborn Babies? Get Cutest Dinosaur Print Products
- Why Do Babies Cry When They Are Tired?
