Postpartum Depression

Becoming a mother can be one of the best things that can happen to some women, yet at the same time for others, it can quickly turn into the worst thing they have ever experienced. In a study conducted on women with depression, it was found that 10 to 15 percent of new mothers will experience major postpartum depression (Weissman and Olfson). From the time a woman discovers she is pregnant to the birth of the baby, she can experience several things, such as happiness, anxiety, and sadness. Women may commonly fear being stigmatized for speaking out about mental health issues such as depression after giving birth. Society places high expectations such as showing nothing but happiness on the new mother right after the delivery of her baby. New mothers are never truly prepared for a postpartum episode and will never know if they will experience the symptoms of postpartum depression. Such symptoms include as sadness, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and even the feeling of not wanting to be with their newborn due to the fear of hurting them or not have been able to establish a bond with them just yet. A mother is suddenly faced with the harsh reality of not being able to cope with herself or worst of all care for the baby, which can also be signs of postpartum depression. It is very important to note that until now, there has been limited research on postpartum depression and its effects on mothers. Something that needs to be done in order for mothers to freely talk about their postpartum depression is to be granted safe spaces where they can share their experiences and build a community of support. By creating safe spaces for mothers with postpartum, we would allow them to actively engage in conversations that can help them cope with their experiences and slowly heal. Postpartum depression is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible as there are mothers suffering and are thus not only hurting themselves but also their children. Depression is real and we need to start treating it as such.

Weissman, M., & Olfson, M. (1995). Depression in Women: Implications for Health Care Research. Science, 269(5225), 799-801.