A Mother’s Resilience: Beating Postpartum Depression with These Tips

Postpartum Depression, commonly termed PPD is a multifaceted symptom of Emotional, behavioral, and Physical changes being faced by a Woman after the birth of a child due to sudden changes in Hormones (mainly Progesterone and Estrogen) in their body leading to Postpartum Depression.

The onset of such symptoms may start from four weeks after delivery and may be there for as long as 3 years too if not been treated.

Signs of Postpartum Depression –

There may be the following symptoms of this Problem –

• Irritability
• Sadness
• Feels Lonely
• Mood swings
• Feeling like Crying
• Insomnia
• Complains of Body aches and other related problems
• Constant worry.
• Feeling that something bad is going to happen.
• Racing thoughts.
• Disturbances of appetite and motion.
• Inability to sit still.
• Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea

How to avoid Postpartum Depression –

• Educate the Mother about this problem and prepare her from the beginning.
• Along with the Pregnant lady, the family members of the lady should also be educated.
• Eat fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
• Should take adequate Sleep
• Slight Exercise needed to be done.
• Avoid making major life changes during or right after childbirth.
• Let your feelings be known in the delivery room.
• Enlist good support during birthing.
• Prepare yourself well for childbirth.
• Enlist household help during the postpartum period.

Postpartum Depression is often treated with Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or mental health counseling), medication, or both.

Here are a few steps to cope with postnatal depression, to be used together with guidance and advice from your doctor.

• Build a secure bond with your baby
• Take care of yourself
• Slowly reintroduce exercise
• Build a support network
• Try psychotherapy
• Try Herbal Supplements like –

1. Brahmi
2. Shankpushpi
3. Jatamansi
4. Triphala
5. Shatavari

All the above-mentioned herbs are totally safe during lactation and help immensely to fight PPD.

(Please note it is always advisable to consult your physician before taking any herbs mentioned above).

• Medicated Abhyanga (Whole Body Massage)  with specific oils like –

Dhanwantaram Oil, Karpooradi oil, etc. also helps a lot.

• Try  Pranayamas  ( Specific Breathing Techniques) like

–  Anulom Vilom

–  Bhastrika

–  Ujjayi

• Must Practice Meditation

Meditation itself is a huge word and it has a Deep to deeper meaning.

Here Meditation means to relax the mind. This meditation helps to control anxiety, calm the mind, induce positive energy, and make the person happier. It alters Mood swings, teaches the person to be patient, and alone meditation with massage can treat Postpartum Depression.

So one must learn how to meditate and implement the same.

What natural postpartum depression treatment options are available?

1.  Add Omega-3 Fatty Acids to your diet. These are some of the most common supplements used to treat depressive symptoms.

• Bright Light Therapy is an appealing treatment option because it is safe and light boxes are available.

• Also, Several lifestyle changes may relieve your symptoms like :
• Take care of your body.
• Try taking long walks with your baby in a stroller or carrier
• Take some time for yourself.
• Set realistic goals.
• Talk about it.

So, finally would like to add that if Postpartum Depression is left untreated, then it can interfere with the bonding of the Mother and the child. It can even increase the chances of the mother to future episodes of Depression. Thus it should be discussed and treated at the earlier stage itself and a wonderful Motherhood should be enjoyed.

Dr. Arindham Chatterjee