Postnatal Depression Screenings

Postnatal Depressions Diagnosis Giving birth can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. It is normal for new mothers to feel joyful and excited for the birth of their baby, albeit nervous about raising a newborn. But there is another set of emotions that are also very common, typically called “the baby blues.” About 8 in 10 women have feelings of sadness, restlessness, crankiness, and become very tearful after giving birth. These feelings are very normal and usually go away within two weeks with rest, care, and a good diet. However, if these feelings persist or worsen, then you may be experiencing what is called postnatal depression. If you believe you are suffering from postnatal depression and require the help of a pediatrician in Massapequa, reach out to Pediatric Associates of Plainview today.

What is Postnatal Depression?

There is no single cause for postnatal depression. Doctors believe that the emotional and physical effects of childbirth play a role in causing the associated symptoms. After birth, your hormone levels drop significantly, and when combined with the emotional instability from being sleep deprived and overwhelmed, this can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and like you have lost control in your life. While the feelings of postnatal depression are very normal, they should subside within about two weeks. However, if they do not subside, or if they worsen over time, you may have postnatal depression. Some common symptoms of postnatal depression include:

Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or hopeless.
Tiredness and irritability.
Restlessness
Guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.

Postnatal depression can range from light, to moderate, to serious. More severe cases include:

Loss of appetite.
Insomnia, trouble sleeping or sleeping very long hours.
Feeling unfit to care for a baby, or even trying to harm yourself or the baby.
Difficulty remembering things, concentrating or thinking.
Unexplained crying spells, headaches, or pains.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially after two weeks of giving birth, you should consult a doctor to see how they can help. At Pediatric Associates of Plainview, a pediatrician in Massapequa can run a screening test to correctly diagnose you if you are suffering from postnatal depression.

Screening for Postnatal Depression with a Pediatrician in Massapequa

A pediatrician has access to a few screening tools to correctly diagnose postnatal depression. Two examples of screening tools used are the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). These tools are a quick set of ten questions focused on what feelings are present and if you are experiencing certain symptoms of postnatal depression. If the screenings show that you have this condition, your pediatrician can start helping you immediately. Some treatments include:

Self-help: Healthy diet and exercise, sleeping well, creating a support system with friends and family.
Psychological therapy: A pediatrician may recommend a program to help you, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Antidepressants: In more severe cases your doctor may prescribe you breastfeeding-safe medication to combat your depression.

No matter how strange it may feel to have depression after giving birth to your baby, know that it is common. Many women all over the world go through the same thing. With the proper care and treatment, postnatal depression is very treatable. If you believe you have postnatal depression, see a pediatrician and receive help right away. If you are in search of a pediatrician in Massapequa to help diagnose and treat your postnatal depression, contact us to make an appointment today.