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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Women And Depression-How Postpatum Depression Can Be Prevented

Medical experts believe that some women develop depression during pregnancy and empirical evidence has shown that between 8 and 12 percent of women are unable to adjust to parenthood and become so depressed that they seek medical help.

For most women, the birth of their baby is one of the most strenuous but also happiest days in their lives. So it is very difficult to understand why almost three-quarters of all women feel down shortly after giving birth.

Postpartum depression is one of the types of depression facing women. Postpartum depression is thought to be related to biochemical changes in the brain.If a woman feels that she is becoming depressed, she should seek help. Some of the signs of depression are sadness,inability to see, poor appetite,poor concentration, a feeling of being unable to cope, fatique, irritability and anxiety.

Some doctors ask women the following questions to find out if the woman is likely to develop postpartum depression or become depressed :
•Have a family history or a personal history of a depressive episode.

•Lacked experience in parenting a child or an adolescent (for example having no siblings to care for)

•Had an unstable or abusive family during childhood and adolescence

•Lacked positive support from husband or partner during and after pregnancy.

•Have a personal or a family history of depression

•Have had depression diagnosed during the pregnancy

•Are cut off from a near relative or friend who could care for the baby from time to time.

•possibly had negative experiences in their contact with health professionals during the pregnancy ( for example lacking information and communication.

Women are more likely to develop postpartum depression if they are socially and emotionally isolated or have had recent streessful life events. A woman suffering from depression needs help from a sympathetic doctor who is prepared to listen to her and give support and encouragement.
In more severe cases, psychiatric consultation may be needed.

3 comments:

  1. Meditation is a powerful tool for women dealing with postpartum depression and other stresses that can follow childbirth. Mommy Meditations, http://www.MommyMeditations.com was developed with the help of Dr. Kerri Parks, ObGyn, who personally battled postpartum depression and the grief of losing her husband days before the birth of her fourth child. Mommy Meditations can help new moms recognize distress and ease into their postpartum bodies. Please check out the website and if you think it's something that could benefit your website visitors, please include it as a resource link.

    http://www.MommyMeditations.com

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  2. Depression is one of the hardest disorders to be affected by. It is quiet to move in with little to no warning. This in itself makes it so much harder to use any type of preventative planning to avoid it. Women can use all of the awareness they can get so that if they fall into the clutches of depression...they will be at least somewhat armed for the battle.
    Understanding ones self and how to calm and control the mind is vital to battling depression.
    Thank you for sharing this information~

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  3. I wish postpartum issue will become part of pre-natal care for expectant mothers. The signs must be instituted in the minds of would-be-mothers so that after delivery, if ever that they happen to show ugly warnings of PP, they can go back to their doctors and be given the fitting treatment right away. Chronic depression caused by PP will render the mothers unable to function well and is likely to affect the whole family relationship. Thank you.

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