Postpartum Depression: What Can You or Your Husband Do?

A woman’s body undergoes a tremendous journey of change throughout pregnancy. Other than physical challenges, mothers or pregnant women might also face mental hurdles that would affect their daily lives and caregiving quality. In this article, we will learn about postpartum depression and ways you or your other half can do to help manage the symptoms.

What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)?

This is a form of depression that occurs after a person gives birth. Statistically, this affects about 1 in 500 new mothers. As becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, this can trigger intense emotions in a person. While experiencing worries and doubts is normal, feelings that include extreme sadness, severe mood swings and crying spells may indicate a need for external help.

While commonly associated with the person who gives birth, postpartum depression can also affect surrogates and adoptive parents. This is due to the many changes in the mind.

As this is a mental illness that affects the brain and your physical health, this can interfere with your day-to-day life. Thus, it is important to identify if you are at risk or experiencing this.

Types of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

The effects of depression after childbirth may range from mild to severe.

Who Can Get Postpartum Depression?

Generally, up to 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression after their baby’s birth. This can affect any woman: whether the pregnancy was easy or challenging, whether they are first-time mothers or with a child prior. Not only that, this can occur regardless of age, salary, ethnicity, culture, education or marital status.

There is no single cause for the condition, but it is highly considered that genetics, physical changes and emotional issues can contribute.

Meanwhile, although this article focuses on women with postpartum depression, it is advisable to note that both partners can get it. An estimate of 4 in 100 men experience postpartum depression in the year following the birth of their child.

Signs and Effects of Postpartum Depression

If you experience the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks continually, you should inform your healthcare provider. These are some signs to look out for:

• Restlessness, sadness or hopelessness
• Crying frequently
• Thoughts of hurting oneself or your baby
• Lack of interest in the baby
• Less or no motivation to do things
• Abnormal sleeping or eating habits
• Memory trouble
• Negative feelings about being a mother
• Loss of joy from hobbies and favoured activities
• Isolating from family and loved ones
• Experiencing headaches and pains that do not go away

Some women may feel ashamed or guilty of the verdict that they may have postpartum depression. Motherhood is seen as a happy thing in society. Therefore, for mothers who do not share the same sentiment, they feel unable to reach out for help.

If this condition does not get treated, the following complications may occur:

• It can last for months, which can cause the mother to stop breastfeeding, bonding with the child and be at risk of suicide.
• Not only the mother, but other people are tangled in the emotional strain, be it the partner or family members. They may also experience emotional distress.
• Children of mothers with the untreated condition may end up slower than their age bracket: being developmentally delayed, experiencing abnormality in their sleeping and eating habits, and more.

What Can You or Your Husband Do About Postpartum Depression?

Things To Do

1. Prioritise yourself as a person. For instance, motherhood can be overwhelming and everyone around you may seem to talk about babies only. When you are supported by people who value you as yourself, this creates a safe space to express feelings. Sometimes being a parent is not joyous all the time. Feeling heard can help you to process your complicated emotions as well.
2. If you are the partner of a person with the condition, offer to go for the doctor’s checkups together. If you are unable to go, perhaps you could consider getting a trusted friend to accompany.
3. Find ways to celebrate despite the struggle. If the mother managed to eat properly or overcome an issue, this is something to be glad about together.
4. Find the time to exercise. Even for as short as 10 minutes, there may be an antidepressant effect for people who do. 

Things Not To Do

1. Do not attempt to solve the problems immediately, or with force. This can invalidate the person’s feelings and cause them to feel more alone.
2. Do not compare your experience as a mother with someone else. This may cause you to spiral and incur greater guilt.
3. Do not expect the struggling mother to direct you on how to help. Instead, be more specific in what you wish to offer help with. For instance, ask if you can carry the baby, or help to purchase a meal from her favourite place.
4. Do not isolate yourself even when things get difficult. Build a support network and make time for your partner, family members, or support group. You may find that healing and help are just a conversation away.