“If this is supposed to be the most joyful time in my life, why do I feel so rotten?” This is a sentiment shared by many women after they have experienced childbirth.
The transition to motherhood may be one of the greatest changes that a woman ever experiences. Whether for the first time or the fourth, the time just after giving birth is a vulnerable one. There are both physiological and psychological changes that occur and even women who feel well prepared can find this to be a difficult time in their lives.
It is estimated that up to 80% of new mothers experience variations in mood. These fluctuations in mood are commonly referred to as the “baby blues”. One minute you might be elated and joyful, then burst into tears a few minutes later. This can start just after childbirth and last up to a couple of weeks. For many women the feelings subside, but for a significant number of women, the feelings persist, and sometimes even worsen. For these women, profound mood variations continue; this is known as postpartum depression, and it is these symptoms that need medical and psychological intervention.
Treatment for postpartum depression is similar to treatment of major depressive disorder. There are pharmacological as well as psychological interventions. There has been research that has shown that medication and/or different types of psychotherapy can be effective in treating postpartum depression. Treatment such as cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is geared toward teaching skills the new mom can take into her daily life to help with the symptoms of depression, as well as adjusting to this new role that can be overwhelming.