POST NATAL DEPRESSION

Depression is a major public health issue which is twice as common in both men
and women during childbearing years. Postnatal depression is a kind of non-
psychotic depression which include complex mix of emotional, physical and
behavioural changes that occurs in a woman after delivery of a child.
Symptoms include:
 Changes in appetite
 Difficulty in sleeping
 Excessive fatigue
 Instant mood swings
It can be treated with a counselling or medication.
Focus on the mother
Postnatal depression is a major public health problem for every mother
from different cultures that often remains undiagnosed. However, several measures
have been developed in order to detect symptomatology in women who has
recently deliver a child. A careful consideration is required in order to reduce the
effect of depression in mother.
 During the first few weeks after the birth of a child, a mother needs to take
care of her basic needs like eating, sleeping and hygiene.
 In post-depression phase, social support must be provided weather in an
emotional way or through an instrumental way. It is proved to be key need
for mother during post-depression period.
 In addition to clinical care and suggestions for social and other kinds of
services, nurses and other clinical practitioners must provide education and
information to mother.
POST NATAL DEPRESSION

What is the evidence saying?
It causes number of risk factors such as:
Hormonal changes: Right after the delivery of a child, a mother
experiences a lot of hormonal changes which can contribute postnatal depression.
Thus, it is important for a woman to talk to a therapist in order to regulate her
mood swings.
 She should stay away from intake of any harmful substances such as
alcohol, nicotine and caffeine as it could worsen the symptoms.
 It is crucial to take vitamin and minerals supplements to restore hormonal
balance.
 Mother should avoid intake of any soya products as they contain
progestogen which is a sort of plant oestrogen.
 Women should make sure that she gets some sunshine on a routine basis as
body needs vitamin D during this time.
Physical changes: Talk to a healthcare provider before taking any
medication or surgery. Mother should drink lots of water.
Stress: Here are some suggestions regarding how to deal with stress after
delivery of a child:
 Mother should take sufficient amount of sleep which makes the system
work well.
 Mother should avoid intake of any junk foods and any of the harmful
substances which can stimulate stress even more.
 She should introduce physical activity in her daily life such as a 20-30
minutes of walk.
 Mother should get some emotional and social support by sharing her
feelings and thoughts.