Childbirth is a substantial event in the lives of many people. It can vary in experience, with some being more challenging than others. However, the challenges don’t stop after the baby is born. Childbirth can impact your overall mental and emotional health in many ways, and those impacts can last long after you’re released from the hospital.

Postnatal depression refers to a type of depression that can develop within the first year following childbirth. Symptoms usually appear within six weeks. Also referred to as postpartum depression, postnatal depression affects approximately 1 in 7 women. It’s possible for men to develop symptoms as well.

Read on to learn about the potential causes of postnatal depression. We’ll also discuss treatment options worth exploring.

Causes of postnatal depression

Postnatal depression falls under the DSM-5-TR category of perinatal depression. It’s the umbrella term used for depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. Symptoms can include lack of appetite, heightened irritability and excessive crying.

There isn’t one specific cause for postnatal depression determined by research at this time. However, there are a variety of contributing risk factors that you should be aware of. They may include:

• Drop in hormones — Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that help with a woman’s reproductive function. They are also associated with serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation. After childbirth, a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels drop quickly. The rapid drop can potentially trigger depression symptoms.
• Sleep deprivation — One of the most common lifestyle changes that a woman endures with a new baby is having much less time to sleep. Feeding schedules, inability for the baby to stay asleep and intense stress can lead to sleep deprivation. Since sleep is required for emotional regulation, not getting enough sleep for an extended period of time is often associated with postnatal depression.
• Mental health history — If you’ve experienced mental health challenges or disorder symptoms before giving birth, it’s likely that you may experience mental health concerns afterward. If you have a history of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders or bipolar disorder, there’s a possibility that you may be more susceptible to the mental and physical strain that comes from childbirth. That strain can lead to depression.

• Traumatic birthing experience — Some women experience relatively uncomplicated childbirth. Others may experience significant issues that can take a toll on their mental, emotional and physical health afterward. Possible trauma experiences that may trigger postnatal depression following childbirth include unexpected changes to the birthing plan, intense physical trauma or complications.
• Lack of support — They say it takes a village to raise a child. However, not every mother or father might have support from their loved ones. They may have a difficult time easing the emotional, physical and mental stress after giving birth without family and friends. A strained or unhealthy relationship between the parents can also lead to postnatal depression.
• Diabetes — Gestational diabetes only affects pregnant women. It occurs when they have high blood sugar due to lack of insulin in the body or ineffective use of the insulin. Gestational diabetes is a complication that affects up to 10% of U.S. pregnancies and can also increase the risk of developing concerns after giving birth, such as postnatal depression.

Treatment options for postnatal depression

If you are feeling any mental, emotional or physical concern after childbirth, it’s important to bring it up to your doctor. They can determine if there’s a concern that requires treatment, such as depression.

Here are a few treatment options to address and alleviate symptoms of postnatal depression:

• Therapy — One of the pillars of treatment for any type of depression is psychotherapy. By talking to a psychotherapist, you can address the root causes of your negative thoughts and emotions. They’ll help you reduce your negative thought patterns and develop coping mechanisms to alleviate depression symptoms. You can also talk through the challenges of parenthood.
• Medication — Your doctor may prescribe medication, such as an antidepressant, to decrease symptoms. They’ll take breastfeeding into account, and they’ll also consider medical history and potential side effects when determining a safe type and dosage. Many antidepressants are considered safe during breastfeeding, and the benefits of treatment often outweigh the risks.
• Support groups — Depression can make you feel incredibly lonely, even when you’re in a room full of people. However, there are other parents who are also experiencing postnatal depression. Find a support group so that you can open up about your challenges to people who are living with similar symptoms. You can also build a support system and learn what coping mechanisms have helped others.

Lightfully Behavioral Health can help you through postnatal depression

Childbirth can be an incredibly emotional and challenging experience. It’s important that you continue to take care of your own emotional, mental and physical health, even when you have a newborn to look after. That means speaking up to your doctor if you believe you’re experiencing postnatal depression.

If you need more intensive support beyond outpatient therapy and medication, Lightfully can help you address and alleviate postnatal depression that may be affecting your overall quality of life. Our levels of care include Residential Treatment (RTC), Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program. Our licensed clinical experts treat your whole person, not just your mental health conditions. Because you’re more than your depression.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.