Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression or
the baby blues affects some women after they have given
birth. The symptoms can include:
- Feeling low and sad for no apparent reason
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Disturbed sleep
- Disinterested in caring for the baby
- Lack of appetite or eating too much
- Feeling worthless and inadequate
- Anxiety
- Lack of libido
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Excessive worrying
If severe, the effects can be devastating on mother and baby
and indeed the rest of the family, and at a time that is
supposed to be joyful.
Having a new baby to care for can be a daunting experience
so it is perfectly natural to feel tired and a little
anxious. You are suddenly responsible for a new life and
along with this there are sleepless nights to deal with, and
then your days are taken up caring for the new baby with
feeds and nappy changes and routines to settle in to.
There's no doubt about it, having a new baby involves a
great deal of adjustment in the home and this is inevitably
going to be stressful and tiring.
However, the difference between normal feelings of fatigue
and worry, and postpartum depression, is that with
postpartum depression the symptoms are more severe and they
persist.
What causes Postpartum Depression?
There is no single clear cut reason why some women develop
postpartum depression and not others but research has shown
that nutritional deficiencies can be involved so it's
important to make sure that your diet is good before, during
and after pregnancy.
One nutrient in particular that has been found to play quite
an important role during and after pregnancy is Omega 3. The
Omega 3 fatty acids Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are vital during pregnancy and
indeed where EPA is concerned each and every one of us need
adequate supplies for the whole of our lives whether we are
pregnant or not. DHA is needed for healthy growth and
development of the brain and eyesight and EPA is needed for
efficient functioning of the brain on an ongoing basis.
It stands to reason that if the mother is not getting all
the nutrients she needs whilst the baby is taking what
little she has, then the mother will find her supplies of
nutrients severely depleted.
It's an interesting point that people suffering from
depression, and not just postpartum depression but indeed
any mental health problem tend to have lower than normal
levels of EPA in their blood.
Self help techniques for postpartum depression
- If your diet has been less than adequate it may be worth
considering an Omega 3 fish oil supplement, speak to your
doctor for more advice
- Get as much rest as you can, try to sleep when baby sleeps
- Try to avoid any extra stresses, this wouldn't be a good
time to move house for example
- If you find yourself with a spare moment, indulge. Read a
book, watch television, have a relaxing bath, don't spend
these precious moments rushing around trying to do chores
and be perfect, that little space can be a life saver
- Talk to your family and your care professionals about how
you are feeling
About the Author:
Did you know that depression and mental health issues can be
dramatically helped by taking omega 3.For more information
about depression and omega 3 come and visit
http://wwwfightingdepression.co.uk
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