Six
remedies for infant blues
We all talk about the
delights of being pregnant and giving birth, eagerly anticipating the arrival
of the newborn. But almost ever are the mental health issues that expectant and
new parents may confront during this time are mentioned. This time may be
stressful for some parents, who may also experience anxiety, worry about the
future, and mood swings.
Women frequently go
through "baby blues," which include melancholy, sobbing fits, mood
changes, irritability, tiredness, and self-doubts about their capacity to care
for the new family member. However, this only lasts for a few days and usually
goes away on its own. On the other hand, according to the American Psychiatry
Association, three to six per cent of pregnant women and a similar percentage
of women in the weeks or months after giving birth develop significant
depressive episodes. These symptoms have an impact on our behaviour, thoughts,
and emotions.
Significant moodiness is
a feature of peripartum depression. Women may go through episodes of sobbing,
feel overly tired, and isolate themselves from friends and family. They could
notice problems relating to the child and experience guilt, humiliation, and
inadequacy as a result. Additionally, this disease may be accompanied by
disturbances in appetite and sleep. Rarely, peripartum-onset psychotic symptoms
in women are also possible.
Consider the following
while you take care of your perinatal mental health:
Allow yourself time to
adjust - Having a child is a major adjustment that comes with both biological
and emotional difficulties. It's acceptable to be uncertain and to harbor
doubts. Keep in mind that there will be a learning curve, give yourself some
time, and have patience with both yourself and your traveling companion. Avoid
making any more significant life changes that could raise the stress level. Put
yourself under no strain and set achievable, realistic goals.
Take time to relax -New
mothers must make an effort to rest despite their physical tiredness, sleepless
nights, and worrying cycles. It is not practical to have it on constantly. Try
to get as much rest as you can, even if it's only for a little while.
Give yourself some
"me time" - Having a child does not imply letting go of other facets
of who we are. Spend some time doing the activities you used to enjoy. It could
involve engaging in physical activity, a pastime, or catching up with a buddy.
Reach out for help- It
truly does take a village to raise a child, so ask for help if you need it. If
at all feasible, ask loved ones and close friends for assistance with daily
tasks. Tell them your feelings and thoughts.
Obtain therapy if
necessary- Baby blues go away on their own, but peripartum depression is a
mental health disorder that has to be treated. Don't be afraid to ask for help
from a mental health professional.
It also pertains to dads
- While moms are typically the focus of discussions on perinatal mental
health, men can also feel sadness as a result of their partner's pregnancy and
the birth of the child. About three out of every 100 couples suffered late
post-partum depression when their infant was between three and twelve months
old, according to researchers from the University College London (UCL), who
examined 23 prior studies with data from more than 29,000 couples. It is
important to consider how the mental health of both parents affects their
interaction with the newborn.
People still feel uncomfortable
speaking up and asking for treatment because of the stigma associated with
mental health, particularly perinatal mental health. As a result, even while
this is a time for joyous celebration, we must be aware of and sympathetic to
the difficulties faced by new parents.