What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

by Peter J. Blogger

Postpartum depression is a moderate to severe depression in a woman after giving birth to a child. It can occur soon after giving delivery to the child or up to a year later. Mostly, it takes place within first three months after delivery.

There causes of postpartum depression are not known. The changes in hormone levels at the time of pregnancy and after pregnancy can affect the mood of a woman. A number of non-hormonal factors can even effect the mood at this period:

Changes in social relationships and work
Changes in the body for being pregnancy and after giving delivery
Having less time as well as freedom for yourself
Worries about your capability of being a good mom
Insufficient sleep

A woman has higher chance of suffering from postpartum depression if she:

Is below 20 years old
Takes illegal substances, smokes or abuses alcohol
Didn't plan the pregnancy or had a mixed feeling about being pregnant
Had bipolar disorder, depression or any anxiety disorder before becoming pregnant or with the past pregnancy
Has someone in the family who has had anxiety or depression
Had experienced a stressful event at the time of pregnancy or during delivery
Has a poor relation with her other half or is single
Has housing or financial problems
Has little support from friends, family or your partner or spouse

The feelings of irritation, anxiety, restlessness and tearfulness are common in the week or two after becoming pregnant. These are the feelings, which are often termed as baby blues. They go away soon most of the time without any treatment. Postpartum depression occurs when baby blues don;t fade away or when the depression signs start in the first or few months after childbirth.

Postpartum depression symptoms are same like the symptoms of depression, which occur at other times in our life. Along with depressed or sad mood, you can have a few of the following symptoms:

A mother having postpartum depression can even: