Being a Part of Postpartum Depression Support for New Mothers

Posted in Understanding Depression by on June 28th, 2009

If you are a part of a family where a new mother has just given birth to a child, you may be able to witness the joys brought about by motherhood. Sadly though, according to reports, about 30% of mothers today do not easily cope up with their new status of life as mothers to their children as immediately as needed. The result of this is usually postpartum depression blues. Again, if you are a member of that family, it pays to become a part of the postpartum depression support ?team? that the new mother might likely need in this phase of her life.

What Postpartum Depression Support ?Members? Need to Know?

A number of things besides hormonal changes may sometimes be a factor in postpartum depression. These include:
A woman?s personal ideas about motherhood, which may result from an unhappy childhood and poor parental relationships.
Unrealistic expectations imposed on mothers by society.
A family history of depression.
Marital dissatisfaction and a lack of support from one?s immediate or extended family.
Poor self-image.
Feeling overburdened or overwhelmed by caring for young children full-time.

This list is by no means comprehensive. Other factors may also contribute to postpartum depression. Indeed, its causes are still not completely understood.

Caring for the Personal Needs of the New Mother

As a willing individual to take the consideration of being a postpartum depression support to your loved one, you must know how the said new mother should be able to take good care of herself to oppose the effects of postpartum depression. The said matters could be considered as follows: [these are best suggestions that a postpartum depression support ?member? should remind the new mother as she deal with her emotions during this phase of her life]

1. Talk to someone about your feelings, particularly other mothers.
2. Ask others to help you with child care, household chores, and errands. Ask your husband to share in nighttime feeding duties and household chores.
3. Find time to do something positive for yourself, even if it is for only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, taking a walk, taking a relaxing bath as part of your regular routine.
4. Even if you can get only one thing done in any given day, this is a step in the right direction. There may be days when you cannot get anything done. Try not to be angry with yourself when this happens.
5. Isolation often perpetuates depression. Get dressed, and leave the house for at least a short while each day. Fresh air and a change of scenery will do you and your baby a lot of good.

By suggesting these activities to the new mother, you are sure to become one of the most effectively helpful members of the postpartum depression support team for a new mother in the family. By doing so, you could much help in reducing the rise of postpartum depression statistics observed among women today.