Postpartum depression is a significant and often overlooked mental health condition affecting many women after childbirth. It goes beyond the typical “baby blues” and can profoundly impact a mother’s emotional well-being, daily functioning, and overall quality of life, according to Ayodele Renner, a pediatric healthcare professional.
Speaking on Newscentral’s Breakfast show, Jasiri, Renner highlighted that this period is challenging for most women. The focus, which was hitherto directed at them while they were carrying the baby, is now shifted to the baby after it is born, who is more vulnerable than the mother at that point.
“The baby arrives, and the attention immediately shifts away from the mother, which is detrimental as coping mechanisms tend to differ, especially when there is no assistance.”
He stated that postpartum depression is not just a fleeting reaction to the stresses of new motherhood but a severe condition that affects a sizeable percentage of women and occurs on a broad spectrum, which includes sadness, anxiety, trauma, stress and even psychosis.
He stressed that these feelings do not reflect a mother’s capabilities or desires but rather a medical condition that requires proper treatment and support. The hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and psychological adjustments that accompany childbirth can all contribute to the onset of this condition.
“Poverty, an unstable home front, family history, a pre-existing condition are also contributory factors that pre-dispose women to post-partum depression.” He emphasised.
Renner, widely known as the “Noisy Pediatrician”, stressed that addressing postpartum depression requires a multifaceted approach, including medical intervention, psychological support, and community resources. Encouraging open conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding postpartum depression are crucial steps in ensuring that affected women receive the help they require. recovery,
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