Causes and symptoms of postpartum depression

Key reminder: Temporary emotional confusion dominated by depression that occurs after giving birth. The main manifestations range from short-term depression to severe depression accompanied by anxiety and fear, indifference and prejudice towards children and husbands, and sleep disorders.

Factors causing postpartum depression

Growth hormone adjustment. A rapid decrease in testosterone levels during the mid- to late postpartum period is associated with the onset of depressive symptoms. During pregnancy, estrogen and oestrogen levels slowly rise to their highest levels, increasing tenfold. Within 3 to 5 days after delivery, the level of maternal serum serum gradually drops to the basic level. Scientific research shows that the greater the decrease in estrogen, the greater the likelihood of postpartum depression.

Mental stress. After giving birth, women's emotions are in a sensitive stage, especially one week after giving birth, the mood changes are more obvious, and the psychological state is in a serious unstable state. Because pregnant women are not adapted to the role of mothers, they suffer from mental stress and depression and anxiety. Excessive anxiety and depression in pregnant women can cause a series of physiological and pathological reactions, such as decreased secretion of norepinephrine and changes in other endocrine hormones, which can lead to weakened uterine contractions, more sensitive pain, prolonged labor, and increased bleeding, further aggravating the anxiety and restlessness of pregnant women, becoming a contributing factor to postpartum depression.

Family atmosphere. Negative life events experienced by pregnant women, such as unemployment, separation, family illness and death, family disharmony, etc., are the main causes of postpartum depression. In addition, factors such as younger age, single-parent families, low status, mothers with many children, early divorce of parents, low education, middle and low income, and new Hong Kong immigrants can increase the susceptibility genes of pregnant women to postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is also related to factors such as the pregnant woman's age, nationality, occupation, the quality of prenatal and postpartum health care services, breastfeeding after giving birth, and tragic events experienced by the pregnant woman during her growth period.