Postpartum Depression

Category: Health | Tags(#): #PostpartumIsReal #MothersDeserveBetter , #Mom'sMentalHealthMatters

Published May 7, 2021, 11:51 a.m. by Juliet

In an African society, especially in an Akan setting, giving birth, especially to the first child, is seen as a blessing to the family and the society at large. Two years ago, I lived with my sister who had then given birth. The news of her childbirth was received with joy by the family. Yes, happiness is what every baby is supposed to bring to both the family and the mother, as that was a general perception. As I spent much time with my sister, I realized it was the exact opposite. She was always complaining about her body, the fact that her husband was not around, and also that she was the only one taking care of the baby. The worst was when she told me she hates her baby. I never understood this until last year, when I came to know that my sister was suffering from a medical condition called postpartum depression.

The birth of a baby can trigger an influx of powerful emotions. From joy to fear, and anxiety but it can also result in something you don't expect - depression.
Postpartum depression is usually experienced by new mothers. It is characterized by mood swings, difficulty in sleeping, and the inability of the new mom to bond with the baby. Postpartum depression can last as long as a year or more after childbirth.

It is usually caused by emotional distress and physical changes.
After childbirth, the body goes through a lot of changes and it may never return to the way it was before. Sometimes, the thought of these changes makes new mothers feel disgusted with themselves. They may feel less attractive and struggle with a sense of identity. This is also fueled by the husband’s or partner's complaints about the changes the body has gone through after childbirth. These changes may include but are not limited to a bigger tummy, increase in weight, and fatigue.

Emotional distress stemmed from taking care of the baby also plays a major part in postpartum depression. This usually happens when the new mom is overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, and anxious about her ability to care for the newborn baby. The new mother usually becomes depressed when she does these things alone especially in situations where the partner provides little or no support to the new mother. 
According to medical studies, this depression is very serious and may lead to alarming actions such as causing new mothers to commit suicide or even killing their newborns.
All the above-mentioned can be prevented and managed properly when mothers are given the necessary help and support they need in taking care of their newborns. Being showered with care and love especially by their partners will go a long way to stabilize and motivate new mothers on this new adventure of their lives. 
As we celebrate this year's Mothers' Day, let's remember these things:
✓New mothers deserve love and affection.
✓The body of every new mother changes after childbirth. It is natural. Let's stop giving them unnecessary pressure about their looks. 
✓If it is okay for a man to have a potbelly, it is very much okay then for a mom to have a big tummy after harboring in it a baby for nine months.
Mothers deserve more than what we give.
Happy Mother’s Day💎❤️❣️

About Author:

---

Read all posts by Juliet

Love to express my silent thoughts loudly on paper. #Inkideas