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01 Mar

Postpartum Depression: The REAL Cause

  • By Amy Miller
  • In All Posts, Blog, Mental Health
  • 0 comment

Postpartum depression is a common and sometimes severe form of depression that affects new mothers at epidemic proportions. It is estimated that up to 30% of women experience postpartum depression, making it a major public health concern that deserves far more attention. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for postpartum depression, providing you with the knowledge you need to understand and manage this condition.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs after during the perinatal period. It not only encompasses postpartum but also pregnancy. Although not recognized yet, it should also include weaning depression. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion, and can last for several weeks or months. Unlike the “baby blues,” which are experienced by up to 80% of new mothers and usually resolve within two weeks, postpartum depression is a more serious condition that requires effective support tools and care.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

The study of postpartum depression is relatively new and still ever evolving. As I explain thoroughly in the Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Training, there are both internal and external factors that contribute to depression, all which are greatly linked together.

Essentially, postpartum depression is multi-factorial and requires many solutions.

Some quick facts for you:

  • Not a single study shows that depression begins in the brain. Depression is a symptom that is a secondary symptom.
  • Depression should be categorized with other inflammatory disorders. Psychoneuroimmunology is new science that connects gut, brain, and immune system.
  • If medications worked to heal, the rates of postpartum depression should go down. It hasn’t. They’ve tripled.
  • Serotonin imbalance is not longer the acceptable science. We now know that this is not the cause of depression.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of postpartum depression can vary from woman to woman, but common symptoms include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Thoughts of harm to oneself or the baby

If you suspect you may be suffering from postpartum depression, it is important to seek help. Reach out to a trained provider who will listen to your needs and support your WHOLE-BODY in not just coping but healing.

Here are Postpartum University, we take healing very seriously. Sometimes medications and counseling are a critical part of coping so that you can heal your body. The step of HEALING is an ongoing process that is usually missed entirely. Understanding how your body functions and how to support it is important, but having actionable tools is critical and life-changing. In my book, Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness, we give you a step-by-step approach to whole-body healing.

Supporting a Loved One with Postpartum Depression

If you know someone who is struggling with postpartum depression, there are several ways you can help:

  • Listen and offer emotional support
  • Encourage them to seek medical treatment
  • Offer to help with household tasks or care for the baby
  • Encourage healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and stress management
  • Make them a delicious nutrient dense meal

What you do, don’t say “let me know if you need anything”. A new mama always needs something, no matter if she has depression or not, and will likely never ask for help. A good friend shows up no matter what.

Here are some things you can say to be supportive:
  • “I’m making you a meal. Any food allergies I need to know about?”
  • “I’m going to leave you Starbucks at your door. What do you normally order?”
  • “Motherhood is the hardest. How are you? No. Really. How are you? Tell me everything.”
  • “Have you gotten in a shower and nap yet? When can I come over and give you some breathing room?”
In the grand scheme of things, it may seem small. But these are such big supports and they will impact that new mama for the rest of her life in ways she will never forget.

Related Articles

  • Tips to Avoid Postpartum Anxiety and Depression: Ep81
  • Pregnancy Depression with Angela Mancini: Ep72
  • What Postpartum Depression Feels Like: Ep55
  • How you Develop Depression, Anxiety, and Autoimmune Disease in Postpartum: Podcast EP8

Additional Resources

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Amy Miller

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Recent Posts

postpartum care
The Future of Postpartum Ep: 113
23May,2023
postpartum autoimmune disease
Postpartum Autoimmune Diseases with Dr. David Bilstrom: EP112
16May,2023
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day: What We Really Want Ep: 111
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This is NOT the way it should be! As postpartum This is NOT the way it should be! 

As postpartum professionals, it's up to us to turn this story around and allow mothers to see that they are NOT the ones who are broken. 

They have not failed the system. 
The system has failed them. 

👉🏻Hey! I'm Maranda💜, or @PostpartumUniversity. follow me for more empowering education/information from a biology student turned scientist and researcher (who also has four wild kids).

#obgyn #lactationspecialist #birthdoula #midwiferycare #postpartumdoula #midwife #maternalmentalhealth #childbirtheducator #birthworker #nursemidwife #doulas #breastfeedingsupport #doula #midwifery #womenshealthcare
We're being lied to. Postpartum anxiety, depressi We're being lied to. 
Postpartum anxiety, depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and maternal suicide are not simply "normal" risks of modern motherhood. 
It isn't "just hormones." 
And yes, there is plenty we can do to change the story for moms around the world. 
🤱⭐️Hi Birth/Postpartum Professional, I’m Maranda at @PostpartumUniversity. You know something is deeply missing in postpartum care. We're here to bridge the gap and provide REAL education and support using science, tradition, and women's stories from around the world. 
Click the link in bio to check out our Professional Membership, which is everything you need to know all in one place. ⭐️⭐️⁠

 #fourthtrimester #functionalnutrition #postpartumbody #postpartumsupport #midwives #breastfeedingsupport #doulas #maternalhealth #postpartumnutrition #doula #ibclc #midwifery #womenshealthcare
To be completely honest, I once believed that a po To be completely honest, I once believed that a postpartum detox was not a necessary step in the path toward whole-body healing. 
After all, our body knows how to detox by itself, right? 🤷‍♀️

After reviewing some new research (and seeing how toxic our environment is beyond what our bodies could have ever expected), it’s very clear that detox may be a necessary component of healing after childbirth. 
Still, there are SO many questions involved before you can even implement a plan of action.

Should you detox after having a baby? 
What if you’re breastfeeding? 
Is there a safe way to do it? 
Is it actually necessary in order to heal?

The science is there to support the benefits of a whole-body detox. 
Since the postpartum period is such a sensitive and important time, extra consideration and knowledge are required in order to utilize this process to its full potential.
If you're looking to guide your clients toward a full-body postpartum detox, definitely suggest these 5 steps listed here. 

Ready to take a deep dive into the science behind detoxing, how it impacts the body, why/when it's important, and a step-by-step guide on how to do it safely and effectively (working WITH the body's natural ability to detox)? 
I invite you to check out the Detoxing in Postpartum 90-minute training 
here: https://postpartumu.com/Detox/ 
**HINT: Those with a Professional Membership get this course for freeeeeeee 
(yes, seriously)** 😉

 #postpartumrecovery #postnatal #newmommy #holisticnutrition #newmomtips #fourthtrimester #functionalnutrition #holistichealth #postpartumsupport #breastfeedingsupport #doulas #maternalhealth #postpartumnutrition #ibclc #womenshealthcare
I need your help! Early this year, I published my I need your help!

Early this year, I published my book, Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness. For the sake of brevity, the publisher messed up on multiple things, including not being able to keep stock to meet demand. Then there was quality issues (finally fixed!). Then Amazon had a tech error that couldn't help me publish (I kid you not "sorry, we're having server issues...").

Needless to say, not only are we back in full swing with quality, we also have an e-book version (right now for $2.99), we're sold across the world, and we're needing your review!

(Part of cutting ties with the previous publisher also meant losing alllll our 5-start reviews *crying*)

HERE'S WHERE I'M REALLY NEEDING YOUR HELP:

•	If you've gotten a copy of my book in the past, please take a second to leave a review: ***book link in bio goes to my page. Click “buy now” which will take you to Amazon

•	If you haven't gotten a copy yet, I'm giving away e-books for $2.99 for this week only. Once you've read it, please take a second to leave a review. ***book link in bio goes to my page. Click “buy now”.

If you've never heard of this book before, you're in for a special treat. Reclaiming Postpartum Wellness is a holistic step-by-step guide that exists to break down barriers, bring you back into your body, and support you in creating more meaningful and consistent healing throughout your life, no matter where you are within your postpartum years.

Thank you immensely for your support. I seriously could not have come this far without your help. We're so close!

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