It is not always the happiest moment in the world, even if they tell us it should be. It is a very important moment, but it involves different feelings. Between 10 and 18% of recent mothers suffer from postpartum depression.
In them, joy gives way to anguish, despair and crying, often misunderstood by the environment. But what is the origin of this disorder? Is there a profile of women prone to postpartum depression? Is there any way to prevent it?
A study published in "Molecular Psychiatry" delves into explanations about the biological causes of postpartum depression, and provides data on the genetic causes that predispose to suffer it.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States have conducted a small-scale trial with 52 women, which we talked about a few weeks ago. Through genetic analysis they were able to predict that 85% of the participants in the study would develop postpartum depression.
In this way, the biological and genetic factor is combined with cognitive, behavioral and psychological factors that also influence this complex process.
Research has focused on epigenetics, that is, on those factors that cause a gene to be activated or not, and therefore produce a specific response. Epigenetic factors are acquired and altered with life, with experiences. As the mother's lifestyle influences epigenetics, an important conclusion is reached: postpartum depression can be prevented.
Prevent postpartum depression
In the world, women tend more than men to suffer from anxiety and depression, which could be explained by hormonal causes. The hormonal revolution of pregnancy and childbirth could increase the risk of depression. But what can we do to minimize that risk?
The "bad reputation" of postpartum depression that makes the woman feel guilty of suffering it, thus increasing the symptoms, is one of the keys on which one can act, from various fronts.
Social support It is important to reduce the chances of developing postpartum depression in women. Professional help when establishing breastfeeding correctly (breastfeeding has been associated with less postpartum depression).
It is important that health professionals who are in contact with women have adequate training in communication skills and in the early detection of affective disorders to detect risks and facilitate early intervention.
Family help when developing housework or simply showing support for the new mother ... it is important. It is not about imposing ourselves but offering our help in whatever we can in order to relieve the mother's tiredness.
Encourage the woman to communicate her feelings and know how to listen to her without minimizing or downplaying them, without telling her that those should not be the feelings that are expected of her ... Phrases such as "after childbirth forget everything bad" can do a lot of damage according to circumstances.
In short, the social environment, especially the couple, must also be aware of what the changes after childbirth entail and the psychological process that women can go through.
It is advisable that during pregnancy, she be informed, for example, in the childbirth preparation classes, of what the changes entail with the arrival of the baby, and that feeling a certain sadness or fear is not uncommon, it is not necessary to fight against those normal feelings
Maintain an adequate level of activity, doing what the mother likes during pregnancy (depression in pregnancy can lead to postpartum), going out, being in contact with other mothers after giving birth, practicing relaxation ... can help mitigate sadness after childbirth.
In short, we see how there are multiple factors that can affect women to suffer postpartum depression, and more research is needed to know them all. And although it is difficult to predict, we are getting closer and closer thanks to studies like this one that approaches the disorder in a rigorous way.
Meanwhile, we are left with one of its encouraging results: it is possible to prevent postpartum depression.
Photos | shanon wise and Angelo González on Flickr More information | NCBI In Babies and more | Can postpartum depression be prevented? Postpartum depression. Three key questions to detect it, Postpartum depression: what it is and how to recognize it
