Postpartum depression in pregnant mothers is an issue that is increasingly talked about, banishing taboos and shedding light on an issue of utmost importance for mental health. But what is not addressed as often is the possibility that the non-pregnant mother or father may also suffer from postpartum depression, perinatal depression, and the so-called baby blues.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), physical and hormonal changes predispose pregnant women to mood swings that can lead to depression, but non-pregnant parents who provide essential support are also at risk. This also includes adoptive parents.
The AAP reports that new research studies reveal that spouses and partners can develop depression just as easily as their pregnant partners. This depression can cause symptoms such as irritability, anger and aggression, in addition to being harsh with themselves, doubting their abilities as parents and even not offering adequate support to their partner.
Why does this happen? Due to the confluence of several factors and changes in daily life and routine. The arrival of a baby involves physical, social and mental stress. You also have to combine work and domestic demands with medical appointments, childbirth preparation classes and other activities. Added to this, the AAP mentions, is the social pressure to feel happy at all times, something “unfair and unrealistic, which can make you feel even worse.”
Thus, couples of all genders can develop depression during the prenatal or postnatal period. “No parent is immune to the extreme pressures and heightened expectations placed on couples when they welcome a new child. For this reason, both members of the couple should be aware of the warning signs that indicate depression,” emphasizes the American Academy of Pediatrics.
It is worth highlighting the difference between depression and postpartum melancholy. The latter manifests itself as tiredness and sadness after the birth of a child, but it disappears in a few days. For its part, perinatal or postnatal depression is a more serious condition, lasting two weeks or more.
Depression in new parents can include symptoms such as deep feelings of sadness, worry or anxiety, fears for the health and safety of the baby, low energy levels, sudden mood swings, crying spells, anger and irritability, brain fog , sleeping problems, changes in eating habits, guilt, shame and doubts about their abilities as parents and difficulty establishing emotional bonds with the newborn.
The AAP emphasizes that both parents can suffer from both depression and postpartum blues, whether they are biological parents or not. Therefore, they recommend asking your doctor for help if any of the aforementioned symptoms appear.
