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A bundle of blues?

Postpartum depression is an under-diagnosed problem that women can overcome, says JESSINA ABOOBACKER

COPING WITH A NEW IDENTITY First-time mothers are more prone to postpartum depression

The nine-month wait and wonder comes to a happy end with the birth of a baby. But in many cases, the birth leaves the mother emotionally untouched.

What should ideally usher in excitement leaves many disillusioned and worried. This is what Neha experienced and she was diagnosed as suffering from postpartum or peripartum depression.

After the birth of her baby she started experiencing a sense of detachment. How much ever she tried to comfort the little one, it continued to cry and she was disappointed.

Hormonal changes

This state of mind, also termed as baby blues, is experienced by most women, and arises due to hormonal changes in the body. It may last from a few days to several months. But the good news is it is transient and treatable.

"Everybody, including me, thought I would make a wonderful mom. It shocked me when I found that I was unable to caress my baby or pamper it. I felt like a failure. I could not comprehend my mental state. There were times when I just wanted to leave everything and run away from my home," recalls Neha Rohit.

First time moms are more prone to postpartum depression due to the anxiety in coping with a new identity, but there is no explicit pattern.

"In the beginning, I was perplexed by Neha's behaviour. I thought she did not like our baby as it was on the darker side. But as days went by, she started behaving strangely. We as a family were there to support her but the ecstasy of motherhood that she had all along pined for seemed lost," says Rohit, Neha's husband.

Treatable

"Ninety per cent of mothers experience fear and depression after childbirth. Out of this, one-third suffers recurring depression, which can be treated with mild therapy, and two out of a thousand suffer from psychosis, which may need hospitalisation as it has acute disabling effects," says Sina, a psychologist.

Baby blues is a self-resolving dilemma and lasts as long as the hormone levels in the body fluctuate and once they settle, the blues fade away.

Lack of understanding

Sometimes, lack of consideration on the part of the spouse may make matters worse. Researchers think the rapid change in hormone levels may lead to depression.

"My daughter used to feel lonely and tired and was unable to work. She was touchy, irritable, and felt unloved. She used to feel insecure and worried about the welfare of the child. Even her relationship with my son-in-law was strained at that time. But she recovered pretty fast because we were patient and tolerant," says Mary Mathew of the time when her daughter experienced postnatal blues.

During the first few days post delivery, a woman goes through emotional upheavals and needs moral support. It is advisable for new fathers to take paternity leave as is done in the West. It could help the woman overcome post-natal blues.

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