the The psychological journey of being a mother for some women is considered as a beautiful experience where they grow emotionally and encounter the purest form of joy. Whereas on the other hand for some women it can also be a process that is strenuous and mentally challenging. This Mechanism of giving birth to a baby is entirely a subjective experience for different women. In general, this rollercoaster of hormonal changes during as well as after childbirth is a noteworthy issue faced by new mothers. Postpartum depression in new mothers is usually accompanied by fatigue and sleep deprivation where the mothers gradually withdraw from their partners and are unable to bond with their newborn babies. A situation, as difficult as that of the pandemic has all the more contributed negatively to this sensitive phase of mothers. Post-partum depression in mothers in a scenario like covid-19 pandemic has extended the feelings of anxiety concerning catching the infection which results in constant worrying as well as negative overthinking. There is a series of guilt feelings along with a sense of worthlessness in the disorder postpartum depression. Such a mental state completely hampers the physical health of a new mother as it results in a lack of sleep as well as in decreasing appetite.
Rates and severity of postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms among women who sought treatment for postpartum depression worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers reported these findings in a study conducted in Canada and published in the Journal of clinical psychiatry. Haley Layton, MPH, of the Health Research Methodology Graduate Program at Mc Master University in Canada, and Colleagues talked about how mothers with mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic are a highly vulnerable group and the women seeking treatment for these problems after delivery may be at the greatest risk. It was reported in The Times of India, updated by Dr. Sandeep Chadha, in the year 2020 that it is the social isolation and uncertainty regarding receiving timely medical help that gives rise to fear in new mothers. Gynaecologists and mental health experts believe that there is a rise in postpartum depression cases in their clinics during the pandemic time. It has also been observed that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression and the age group affected by it is mostly 35 to 40-year-olds. Experts believe that it has increased because there has been home confinement and a lot of stress is involved in managing motherly duties and house chores, where spouses are not helping each other. There were a lot of complaints from pregnant women regarding their families not cooperating with them. In several other surveys, it has been found that new mothers with postpartum depression also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the covid-19 pandemic. This indicated that such high levels of distress results in damage to both mothers as well as the child’s health.
Postpartum depression results not only in erratic hormonal changes but also disrupt one’s social functionality, concentration levels, decision-making ability and capacity to work by staying in the present. Another noticeable, as well as the common impact of postpartum depression, is on parenting. The early interactions and bonding between mother and baby is disturbed due to the mother’s mental health. Depressed mothers appear to have at least two different styles of interacting including an intrusive, controlling and over-stimulating style or a withdrawn, passive and under-stimulating style (Malphurs,1996). This usually results in an either an authoritarian or uninvolved style of parenting which disrupts the child’s personality development. The mental health status due to such disorders needs to be altered by improving the symptoms gradually. Medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and benzodiazepines can help regulate the mother’s mood changes. Electroconvulsive therapy is also provided to cause changes in brain chemistry. Psychotherapeutic techniques like interpersonal and cognitive behavioural therapy can also provide new mothers with a space to share their concerns and get trained in how to efficiently restructure their overwhelming thoughts. Reach out to us here if you require some assistance with this. Yoga as a method of treatment is also highly recommended and it has been observed that those who engaged in yoga twice a day for 8 weeks showed improvement. Relaxation techniques like deep-breathing, guided imagery and self-hypnosis are another set of management exercises that aim to reduce the symptoms of irritability and constant stress. These also help in expanding attention and inducing positive emotions. Lastly, maintaining a healthy as well as balanced diet also helps as it will combat the nutritional deficiencies post-delivery.
The battle of fighting demons of depression in new mothers especially during the pandemic has stood as a harsh challenge. Sometimes the mental health of new mothers are in a fragile state and at such an enormous period of transition, they can fall victim to the cycle of negativity. It is the constant care, understanding and love that can guide their spirit out of this strain and hence it is crucial to remember that it helps them excessively if family members are patient and supportive.
– Urveez Kakalia & Debanjana Banerjee.