[Postnatal Depression] Is there a latent period? Understand the causes, symptoms and treatment of postnatal depression

After ten months of pregnancy, the moment you finally hold your baby in your arms is one filled with immense joy for every mother. However, with the arrival of the baby, a mother’s body and lifestyle will undergo significant changes, and she may also experience emotional fluctuations, or even develop postnatal depression. This time, 10Life will explore with all mothers the causes, symptoms and prevention methods of postnatal depression, helping mothers better understand and cope with this issue.

Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression (Postpartum depression, PPD), is a postpartum mood disorder. Around 13% to 19% of women after childbirth experience postpartum depression¹. Many mothers may experience postnatal low mood after giving birth, such as feeling down, being easily upset, anxiety, loss of interest, and even unexplained crying. This usually begins within 2 to 3 days after delivery and can last for up to two weeks. If the problem persists for more than two weeks, or only starts appearing after two weeks postpartum, it may be postpartum depression. In very rare cases, if hallucinations or self-harming tendencies occur, it may instead be postpartum psychosis.

Postnatal emotional changes are something many mothers experience. According to information from the Department of Health’s Family Health Service¹, postnatal emotional problems can be divided into three categories: postnatal blues, postnatal depression and puerperal psychosis. Postnatal blues are very common, affecting around 40% to 80% of women after childbirth. They usually appear 3 to 5 days after delivery. Symptoms include mood swings, tearfulness, insomnia and restlessness. These symptoms are mild and usually resolve on their own within a few days. By contrast, the symptoms of postnatal depression are similar to those of depression. They usually appear within 6 weeks after childbirth, but may last for up to a year. With early identification and treatment, together with family support, most women can recover. Around 0.1% to 0.5% of women after childbirth will experience puerperal psychosis. Symptoms include auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusions and thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby. It usually appears within two weeks after delivery. If you suspect you may be suffering from puerperal psychosis, you must be referred to a psychiatrist immediately or go to the emergency department to prevent any potential danger to yourself or your baby.

Postnatal depression has a relatively long latent period. It usually develops within 6 weeks after childbirth, but it may also be delayed until a full year after delivery. Its severity can range from mild to severe, so symptoms need to be monitored continuously and treated accordingly¹.

The causes of postnatal depression are not yet fully understood, but research suggests that a range of factors may increase a woman’s risk of developing the condition, including:

• having previously experienced a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety;
• having had symptoms of anxiety or depression during pregnancy;
• having a personality that is prone to anxiety;
• lack of social support;
• poor relationships with one’s partner or mother-in-law;
• experiencing domestic violence;
• financial pressure within the family;
• having experienced complications or emergencies before or after childbirth;
• having previously experienced miscarriage, difficulty conceiving, or even an unplanned pregnancy, or feeling ambivalent about the pregnancy;
• if the baby has a serious congenital condition or is born prematurely.

Symptoms of postnatal depression may include:

• Persistent low mood;
• Loss of interest in life and in the baby;
• Loss of appetite;
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or early morning waking;
• Feeling exhausted and lacking energy;
• Poor concentration;
• Self-blame and guilt;
• Excessive anxiety.

If the above symptoms occur and persist for more than two weeks, professional help should be sought as soon as possible.

• Having experienced depression or anxiety before pregnancy;
• A family member having had depression or other emotional issues;
• Being unmarried, a young pregnancy or an unplanned pregnancy;
• Experiencing an unfortunate event during pregnancy, such as the loss of a loved one or a major accident;
• Marital discord, conflicts with one’s mother-in-law or financial difficulties within the family;
• Encountering an emergency during labour;
• Domestic violence and a lack of family support;
• Excessive fatigue or insomnia;
• If the baby is born with a severe congenital condition or health problem.

Mothers who would like to know whether they may be suffering from postnatal depression may consider using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for self-assessment:

However, please note that the behavioural indicators in the above assessment criteria are for reference only; a diagnosis should ultimately be made through a professional assessment by an expert.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy mainly involves talking with a professional psychologist to help mothers identify their negative emotions, release stress, find an emotional outlet, and learn to cope with stressors through new ways of thinking.

Taking antidepressants

For moderate to severe postnatal depression, antidepressants may be needed to improve symptoms, under a doctor’s advice. Some antidepressants may not be suitable during breastfeeding, so medical advice should be sought.

Improving personal lifestyle habits

In addition to professional treatment, adjusting one’s lifestyle is also very important in alleviating postnatal depression. Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, quitting unhealthy habits, developing interests, relaxing both mind and body, exercising regularly, talking to others, and building a support network can all help mothers after childbirth better cope with emotional issues.

To help prevent postnatal depression, mothers can make thorough preparations before pregnancy, for example by attending workshops with their partner to learn parenting knowledge; sharing experiences more often with family to build their own support network; and establishing healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly. After giving birth, it is also important to remember to maintain good communication with your partner and family, and to give yourself enough rest. In addition, make time to do things you enjoy, so that you can approach your new role with a relaxed mindset. If you feel anxious or irritable, you can try practising meditation or using deep breathing to help ease your emotions.

New parents, while going through a change in role, should not only learn how to care for their baby, but also remember to take good care of themselves. To build a safety net for the health of both themselves and their baby, parents may consider choosing a medical insurance plan that suits their needs, helping them access appropriate treatment more flexibly. If needed, they can refer to 10Life’s earlier article comparing different 5-star Voluntary Health Insurance plans, or get a preliminary understanding through 10Life’s Insurance Decoder.

Further reading:
【Caesarean birth】A complete guide to public and private hospital maternity fees and procedures 
What is a hospital bag? Take a look at the essential items checklist for a pregnant woman’s hospital bag before childbirth
【Travelling while pregnant】Planning a babymoon? Check out these travel tips and important points to note 

Notes
1.    Department of Health, Family Health. Emotional health after childbirth
2.    Mayo Clinic. Postnatal depression
3.    OT&P Healthcare. 【Postnatal depression】Causes and symptoms of postnatal depression, self-assessment with 10 questions
4.    NHS. Overview - Postnatal depression
 

Last updated on: 30 September 2024

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.