Postpartum depression affects the baby negatively

Postpartum postpartum depression reduces a woman’s quality of life. Pointing out the importance of timely intervention in puerperal depression, which can occur in the first 2-4 weeks after birth and can continue up to the 12th month, experts draw attention to risk factors such as a person’s history of depression, having more than one child, unplanned pregnancy, and a negative relationship with a spouse. Noting that the baby is also affected by this situation, experts warn that the children of mothers with postpartum depression are more irritable, shy, use fewer facial expressions, speak less, have frequent behavioral problems, and may experience cognitive difficulties .

Specialist Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu pointed out the importance of early intervention by stating that puerperal depression called “Postpartum depression” reduces the quality of life of women.

Stating that depression is a psychiatric disorder that can be seen in every period of life from infancy to old age, Specialist Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu said, “The pregnancy and postpartum period, which is called one of the most beautiful periods of women’s life, is also a period that should be considered in terms of the development of mental disorders . “

OPENS IN THE FIRST 2-4 WEEKS AFTER BIRTH

Dilara Aloğlu said, “Postpartum depression is one of the important psychiatric conditions, the symptoms of which appear in the first 2-4 weeks after birth and can continue until the 12th month. In fact, the physiological background of the process, the changes that occur in the body with birth, hormonal fluctuations and the process of restoring the uterus, the psychological infrastructure of the process is the change of daily life and “I have a baby, now I am a mother!” It is a situation where the feeling of feeling causes negative emotions in many women. These types of feelings, which are considered normal for the first week, can be suspected when they are long-lasting, i.e. postpartum depression .

IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DISCRIMINATE FROM MOTHERNESS BLESSING

Stating that the symptoms of postpartum depression are not different from depression in women who have not given birth, Dilara Aloğlu said that it may be difficult to distinguish it from the symptoms that can be seen naturally (weight loss, insomnia, etc.) or from the sadness of motherhood, which is often seen in the first days after giving birth.

“In postpartum depression, people’s lack of love towards their family members and their opposite feelings towards their baby are more prominent. Other findings include depressed mood, lack of interest in activities, change in appetite, fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulties in caring for the child, feelings of guilt, low self-confidence, difficulty concentrating, psychomotor retardation or agitation, and suicidal thoughts. When this condition is mild or moderate, it may follow an insidious course and become severe enough to require hospitalization.”

ATTENTION TO RISK FACTORS!

Noting that there are biological and psychosocial causes in postpartum depression, Aloğlu said, “The sudden decrease in some hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that rise during pregnancy has been held responsible for depression. Many risk factors have been defined for postpartum depression” and listed these factors as follows:

• “Having more than one child,
• The person’s history of depression
• Not wanting pregnancy/child (unplanned pregnancy),
• Economically low income, low education level,
• Marital status (negative relationship with spouse),
• type of birth,
• Breastfeeding (inability to establish the beginning correctly, possible failure in breastfeeding adaptation of mother and baby)
• A difficult pregnancy, a tiring and difficult birth experience,
• Not getting enough support after birth,
• Difficulty meeting needs
• Conditions such as a possible health problem experienced by the mother and/or the baby during delivery may adversely affect the postpartum period are known as risk factors.

EVERY WOMAN EXPERIENCES CHANGES AFTER THE BIRTHDAY

Stating that every mother experiences some physiological and hormonal changes after birth, but the severity of these changes can differ from mother to mother, Aloğlu said, “Although hormonal changes occur in all women who give birth, only 10-15% of women develop mental disorders, causing social strain, interpersonal relationship problems, It suggests that it may also be related to situations such as lack of social support . ”

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION ALSO AFFECTS CHILDREN

Specialist Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu said, “Mothers who think that external factors govern their lives rather than themselves are in the high risk group for postpartum depression. Some studies show that depressed mothers show less affection and attention to their children than non-depressed mothers. It has been observed that the children of mothers with postpartum depression are more irritable, shy, use less facial expressions, speak less, have frequent behavioral problems, and may experience cognitive difficulties. It has also been proven by research that depression that develops at an early age has a negative effect on issues such as growth/development, school success, family and friend relationships .Specialist Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu said, “If a woman exhibits strange behaviors about her child after giving birth, contrary to the custom, if she exhibits negligence, abusive or strange behaviors towards the baby rather than the behaviors expected from a mother, postpartum psychiatric conditions should definitely come to mind. There may also be cases of harm to the baby. Some mothers may be subject to lawsuits due to vital damages to the baby. In addition, impaired mother-infant attachment, abuse of the baby and neglect of the baby are also among the possible consequences .

POSTPARTITION DEPRESSION CAN BE TREATED

Specialist Psychologist Dilara Aloğlu noted that options such as motivational interviews, cognitive behavioral studies, drug therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electro Convulsive (ECT) therapy, which will be determined according to the severity of the mother’s symptoms, are used in the treatment of postpartum sadness or depression. Postpartum depression, which is the first of the conditions that should be considered in women’s mental health in terms of fatal consequences, clearly shows the importance of protective mental health. For this reason, it is important for the woman to be in good mental condition before becoming pregnant, to be informed about the pregnancy process and what awaits her afterwards, and to strengthen her coping skills .