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Postpartum Depression After Childbirth

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Depression is a common problem during and after pregnancy; about thirteen percent of pregnant women and new mothers have depression (Women’s Health, par. 2). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression is defined as a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth (National Institute of Mental Health, par. 2). Even though the mothers that suffer from postpartum depression often think it is their fault, postpartum depression can happen to any mother. This is because it is a disorder that is out of their control, it is common among many mothers and it is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance. Depression after childbirth is called postpartum depression. Some women who have postpartum depression might just think it is the “baby blues”. Anywhere from forty to eighty percent of new mothers experience baby blues (BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board, par. 1). However, baby blues typically go away within a few days or a week, and the symptoms are not as severe, and do not need treatment. Symptoms of the baby blues include minor crying spells, trouble sleeping, feeling overwhelmed, and/or loss of appetite. Postpartum depression symptoms last longer and are more severe than baby blues, and can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth (Women’s Health, par. 11). However, in some rare cases …show more content…

There are also things that can increase the likelihood of a mother getting depression during and after pregnancy. The factors that can increase your risk of getting postpartum depression include having a baby at a young age, marriage or money problems, a lack of support from family and friends, if the mother had problems with a previous pregnancy or birth, and/or if there is a personal or family history of depression or other mental illness (Women’s Health, par.

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