Postpartum depression (the symptoms of which are not much different from the symptoms of normal depression) is dangerous not only for new mothers, but also for newborn babies. A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in collaboration with the Sangat Center found that 44% of children with depressed mothers scored poorly on developmental scales.
Publika.az informs that in children with healthy mothers, such problems were not observed in more than 20% of general children. The cause of developmental delay was the inability of mothers with postpartum depression to breastfeed and the use of infant formula.
Why does postpartum depression occur?
Why does postpartum depression happen and can it be avoided? The description of the symptoms of postpartum depression (also called “postnatal” depression in medicine) can be found for the first time in the works of Hippocrates.
However, the first serious scientific justification for this form of depressive disorder, which develops immediately after birth, appeared only in the 20th century. According to statistics, on average, 13% of mothers around the world suffer from depression during the postpartum period, which manifests itself in the form of a sharp decrease in mood during the day, loss of interest in life and any pleasures, and a gloomy view of women. future, sleep and appetite disturbances, lack of attachment to the child. Over time, undiagnosed and therefore untreated depression can lead to serious mental illness (up to suicide attempts) such as bipolar psychosis.
The lowest chance of becoming a victim of postpartum depression occurs in the “old age” (that is, women who give birth after the age of 30). Spanish scientists from the Polytechnic University of Valencia found that the risk of postpartum depression decreases with age. They are heredity, the presence of psychiatric problems in the subjects’ family members, the level of social support for young mothers, etc. have developed a technique that predicts postpartum depression in 80% of cases by evaluating risk factors such as
Postpartum depression in fathers
Research conducted by American scientists from Norfolk Medical University (Virginia) has proven that men can suffer from postpartum depression as well as women. Experts analyzed 43 studies involving 28,000 people between 1980 and 2009. They studied the behavior of fathers after their children were three months to one year old. It is known that almost 10% of fathers experience postpartum depression. In comparison, about 5% of men suffer from depression during the year. According to study authors Dr. James Paulson and Sharneil Bazemore, “This means that depression in men who are expecting children or who are fathers is a serious social problem.”
How to treat postpartum depression
American pediatricians have found an easy way to get rid of postpartum depression. According to them, it is enough to touch the baby’s skin with your hands or cheeks for 3 hours every day to prevent postpartum depression. This reduces the risk of disease by 80%, because at this time the hormone oxytocin is produced in the woman’s blood, which improves well-being and gives self-confidence. Such touches also have a beneficial effect on the newborn baby. Scientists are sure: “Skin-to-skin contact significantly reduces the child’s irritability, children cry less and sleep better, giving the mother an opportunity to relax and improve her mood.” In addition, it is useful not only to caress the child, but also to carry him in a “kangaroo backpack” for 2 hours a day.
Another effective remedy for postpartum depression, according to researchers, is regular intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy, which are abundant in fish oil and nuts. In the experiment, scientists invited 26 pregnant women to take fish oil capsules, while another 26 participants took placebo corn oil capsules. Women started taking capsules from the 24th week of pregnancy and continued after delivery. After giving birth, scientists conducted a survey to find out whether women had symptoms of postpartum depression. It was found that the symptoms of apathy and hopelessness were more pronounced in women who took capsules with corn oil. Women who took fish oil were more likely to be in a good mood and full of optimism. Scientists suggest that this action of polyunsaturated fatty acids is related to their effect on the nervous system. Omega-3 nourishes brain cells, promotes better transmission of nerve impulses, and thus prevents irritation and fatigue.
Ayşan
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