Causes of postpartum depression in women

Postpartum depression is a mental illness that women are very likely to suffer from after giving birth. Postpartum depression can make pregnant women feel increasingly numb and indifferent to their newborn babies, and can also make pregnant women more and more psychologically sensitive, making them more prone to suicidal behavior. Therefore, for postpartum depression, it is necessary to prevent it as early as possible, detect changes in pregnant women as early as possible, and provide them with psychological and physiological support. How did that lady get postpartum depression? If this symptom occurs in the uterus, attention should be paid.

1. Causes of postpartum depression

1. Pregnancy factors: When a woman is pregnant, her body's hormone levels will undergo significant changes, the homeostasis of the internal environment is damaged, and this change in hormone levels is the molecular biological basis for postpartum depression. Before delivery, the levels of estrogen, progesterone, corticosteroids, and thyroid hormone in women's bodies increase to varying degrees, and embryonic steroid hormones reach their maximum. After giving birth, the hormone suddenly decreases, causing the pregnant woman to change from an excited state to a depressed state.

2. Factors related to childbirth: During the childbirth process, women experience great pain, especially for first-time pregnant women. Their inner fear and the pain of the wound cause damage to their physical and mental state, leading to the occurrence of postpartum depression.

3. Changes in psychological state during pregnancy: After pregnancy, women’s mentality is unstable and they worry too much about their changes during and after pregnancy. For example: worrying about the husband's cheating, worrying about the impact on one's own life, worrying about the inability to raise children after they are born, etc., all cause women to be depressed and their mood fluctuates. If things go on like this, this kind of emotion will be suddenly released after giving birth, leading to postpartum depression.

4. Genetic factors: Genetic factors are also an important factor in the occurrence of postpartum depression. Women with a family history of mental illness, especially pregnant women with a family history of depression, have a higher incidence of postpartum depression than women without a history.

5. Unsuitable for role change: Many women who are parents cannot adapt to this change after the birth of their children. They cannot fully balance the complicated work and taking care of the baby, which is very likely to cause postpartum depression.

2. Symptoms of depression after childbirth

1. Depressed mood, decreased interest and hobbies, and lack of happiness: These are the key symptoms of postpartum depression and are also present in other depressions. Pregnant women may show a significant lack of interest or pleasure in all or most activities, their mentality is always in a depressed state, they are unhappy, they may feel anxious about raising children, and they may be emotionally indifferent to people around them.

2. Weight changes: Patients with postpartum depression will also experience weight changes, which will manifest as a significant decrease or increase in weight in a short period of time.

3. Repeated thoughts of death or suicide: This is the most dangerous symptom of postpartum depression. If this symptom occurs, relatives must remain vigilant and send the child to a professional hospital for treatment.

4. Other symptoms: Insomnia, fatigue, mental and motor dysfunction or retardation, feeling worthless or guilty about doing things, decreased thinking ability or lack of concentration are all symptoms of depression after childbirth.