How well are you able to sleep when your baby sleeps? This is the single most important question to ask yourself if you think you may be depressed. If your answer is "not well" or "I can't" you may be suffering from postpartum depression.Approximately 13% of women giving birth in the United States will suffer from postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum depression is defined in the United States as a depressive episode that occurs from the time a woman gives birth until six months postpartum. European countries expand this definition to include a depressive episode within the first twelve months postpartum.
A recent study published in SLEEP explored the relationship between poor sleep and postpartum depression. All 4191 women who delivered at Stavanger University Hospital in Stavanger, Norway from October, 2005 through September, 2006 were mailed questionnaires seven weeks after giving birth. Approximately 70 percent responded. 57.7% were experiencing sleep difficulties at the time while 16.5% were suffering from postpartum depression. Those who suffered from sleep problems, especially during the daytime hours, were more likely to be diagnosed with postnatal depression than the 40% who did not.
This is important information as it alerts the medical community to look for depression in new mothers who are experiencing sleep difficulties. Afterall, symptoms of fatigue from sleep deprivation such as decreased energy, impaired memory and tearfulness are not all that different from symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling very sad, anxious or irritable
- Frequent crying
- Not feeling up to doing normal daily tasks
- Not feeling hungry, or eating when not hungry
- Not wanting to care of yourself (bathing, getting dressed, doing your hair)
- Trouble sleeping when your tired, or sleeping too much
- Things don't seem fun or interesting anymore
- Trouble concentrating
- Feelings of guilt
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Difficulty making decisions
- Worrying too much about the baby or not caring about the baby
- Fear of harming or being alone with your baby
- Thoughts of harming yourself or suicide
If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, please seek the help of a medical professional. If you think a loved one is suffering from postpartum depression, please encourage her to contact the provider who cared for her during her pregnancy and/or her primary care provider. Postpartum depression resources are listed below.
Help lines
1. Postpartum Depression Helpline available 24/7
1-800-PPD-MOMS (1-800-773-6667)
1-800-944-4PPD (1-800-944-4773)
Online Postpartum Depression Resources
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