You pick your phone and search for certain keywords relating to childbirth, mothers, pregnancy.
Based on the internet algorithm, you’re overwhelmed with happy and smiling mothers staring longingly at their child or as the case may be children.
There is a common belief that motherhood should be perfect and full of unending joy.
While some people consider childbirth as a thing of joy due to the overwhelming slew of benefits attached to it before and after.
Some of these benefits include:
– Easier periods
Having babies is said to help reduce cramps as they’re less painful or sometimes non-existent.
Although not 100% absolute, this is said to be made possible due to Prostaglandins, hormones that direct the uterus to contract during labor.
They play a role in monthly menstrual pain. The upshot? Fewer pain-receptor sites, fewer cramps.
– Reducing the chances of breast and ovarian cancer:
Another important benefit that makes pregnancy and childbirth all the more interesting is because they serve as an effective protector against breast and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding plays an important role as Most women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay their menstrual periods.
This reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.
Also, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you shed breast tissue.
– Better sex:
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the sex hormones which boosts sex drive and provides proper blood perfusion to the pelvic area.
This allows for easier and multiple orgasms through extra sensitive and engorged body parts.
– Being a mother:
The concept of just being a mother based on cultural and societal ideology allows for some form of respect.
A mother is ultimately revered because of what they have to go through throughout 9months.
– The opportunity to care for another human:
The need to care for another human especially one’s child trigger a sense of maternal protection and responsibility.
By doing so, it provides the mother with an opportunity to be a caregiver.
In all these outlined BENEFITS, a rarely not talked about effect is the postpartum depression that comes after it and how it has affected scores of women.
Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth, which can affect both sexes.
Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
Onset is typically between one week and one month following childbirth. PPD can also negatively affect the newborn child.
Postpartum depression can affect people differently, but below are some common signs and symptoms:
– A depressive state of mind characterized by a low or sad mood.
– Constant state of anxiety and irritability.
– The constant feeling of fatigue and lethargy.
– A loss of self-worth, punctuated by unexplainable anger.
– General body pain, such as a headache or stomach ache.
– Inability to eat due to loss of appetite
– Unable to properly focus and make a cohesive thought process.
– Threshold of motivation is low with a lack of interest in basic activities like looking good, going out, etc.
HOW TO DEAL WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Post-Partum depression requires a lot of to overcome as it is physiological and also psychological.
There are certain ways of dealing with it and they include:
1. REST
It is rightly said that sleep is an essential function that allows your body and mind to recharge.
It leaves you refreshed and alert when you wake up.
Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and fight off diseases.
This can be applied as a nursing mother going through PPD especially when the baby is asleep.
2. ALWAYS AVOID BEING ALONE
The power of social interaction cannot be overemphasized especially in this century.
For someone struggling with PPD, it is important to maintain a relationship with friends and family.
Go for outings, chat with other mothers, share your experiences and stories.
All these lift the depression and helps put one in a better mood.
3. EXERCISE
Exercise has been said to possess an antidepressant effect based on research.
It helps to ease depression by taking off your mind from self-deprecating thoughts.
Either by going to the gym if it can be afforded, there are also certain Do-it-yourself homework out that can be done without any home equipment.
4. CREATE PERSONAL TIME
Away from the loud and overwhelming human presence in the family, taking out personal time to recharge is advised.
A movie night out with yourself, doing something personal you enjoy, going for a walk, booking a massage appointment, or even taking a nap can go a long way.
With the agreement, your child can be left with your partner to attend to while you clear your head.
5. EAT HEALTHY
Nutritious food plays an important role also in easing PPD.
Also, planning to cook and the process involved helps to greatly improve mood.
6. WHEN POSSIBLE, JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP
Being in a support group plays a large role in dealing with post-partum depression.
The relief of having to see that you’re not alone in your struggles provides strength to forge ahead as each member draw strength from the other.
Also, tips can be shared on how various person’s dealt with their form of depression.
The most effective way in dealing with postpartum depression is always to see a Professional.
This is to ensure proper diagnosis and care.
It is worthy to note that the health sector is not factoring this into their care program too.
You can walk into most hospitals now to talk to a professional or reach out even via social media.
