The postpartum, also known as the puerperium, in theory is the period of time that begins after childbirth and ends after quarantine; that is, more or less six weeks after giving birth.
But as we already know well, nothing that has to do with motherhood or parenting usually follows any theory very closely. So It is advisable to understand the postpartum in the broadest possible sense. Broader and more variable, because each woman is different, each birth is different and each baby will cause different changes and adjustments in each family unit.
In any case, and here there is consensus between theory and reality, the postpartum is a period of adaptation in capital letters. Adaptation of the mother towards the baby, of the baby towards the mother, of the mother towards her new feelings, of the baby towards the world, and of the environment towards this new inseparable couple that mother and baby form.
A period of adaptation full of challenges and difficulties that has traditionally been made invisible. And it continues to be so. Movies, advertisements, the common imagination, draw us a happy woman with a new son or daughter in her arms. And she forgets everything else… Which is a lot and, in fact, it is everything.
Precisely this invisibility is one of the causes of the problem that we will address below: postpartum depression, experienced alone and often undiagnosed.
The environment tells the woman that she should feel very happy, that it is mandatory to feel very happy; and when a woman inevitably feels emotionally overwhelmed, to the anxiety that we could consider “normal” and “manageable” is added pressure from the environment that, poorly managed, can lead to significant problems in her mental health.
What postpartum did you imagine? What has been the reality? Lack of information causes false expectations seas of frustration and even silently regretful mothers.
It is scientifically proven that before, during and after pregnancy, women experience important hormonal changes, and that these changes can cause emotional disorders of varying intensity.
1. Baby blues
The baby blues It is the syndrome that usually appears with the arrival of the baby, it is an emotional alteration in which easy crying, sadness, irritability, insecurity, anxiety and mood changes appear, it is temporary, it lasts a few days after the first weeks of delivery . It is a hormonal syndrome, being aware of it will help you go through it without being scared and not confusing it with postpartum depression.
2. Postpartum depression
If this emotional state persists or worsens as the weeks go by, we are talking about postpartum depression ; Many women suffer from it in silence without being diagnosed, fortunately, more and more detection protocols are being carried out. Postpartum depression can lead you to not feel able to care for the baby, it can affect your bond, and you can isolate yourself from family and friends. Don’t hesitate to go to a specialist.
3. Postpartum post-traumatic stress
Postpartum post-traumatic stress (P-PTSD) appears after the traumatic experience of childbirth, from an emergency birth where the baby’s life was in danger, an unexpected cesarean section, prolapse of the umbilical cord, the baby in the incubator, feelings of helplessness, lack of support and communication during childbirth, suffering obstetric violence, how did you experience your childbirth? Did you feel respected? Was it what you really expected?
Childbirth is a time of great vulnerability and women who suffer from previous trauma, such as sexual abuse, are at high risk of developing post-partum post-traumatic stress disorder.
4. Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD-P) is associated with intrusive, recurrent, persistent thoughts that appear after childbirth, usually related to the baby. It occurs through compulsions to reduce fears and anxiety, exaggerated fear of harming the baby, rituals and repetitive behaviors related to hygiene and control of weight or intake.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder negatively affects a woman’s daily routine, consuming too much time and generating a state of permanent anxiety, affecting interpersonal relationships.
Postpartum burnout syndrome It appears when you undergo a period of intense and prolonged stress on a physical and emotional level, generating extreme exhaustion; it is common in the postpartum period.
The symptoms of chronic stress caused by the same situation, sleepless nights, colic, breastfeeding, constant demand from the baby, social pressure to be a perfect mother, the weight of domestic responsibilities, lead to muscle pain, headaches, frustration, anxiety , feeling overwhelmed, collapsed and desperate. Do you feel extreme exhaustion, that you can’t take it anymore? These symptoms can be confused with other disorders.
The importance of acting quickly
Early identification of these emotional disorders and going to a specialized professional is crucial for the emotional well-being of the mother and baby.
perinatal psychology It is the branch of psychology that is responsible for working on the emotional changes that occur during the process of motherhood, fatherhood and parenting. Going to a specialist is always the best option, and statistics confirm that if it is treated in its initial phase, the chances of treatment success are very high.
Prevention of psychological problems
There is increasing social awareness that the postpartum stage is a time of great personal and couple transformation where own wounds appear that can affect the process.
Fortunately, we have noticed a growing number of women and couples who come to the consultation to know how to identify if they really want to be mothers/fathers or not, many times we fall into the inertia of what we unconsciously believe is expected of us.
Women or couples who choose to undergo a psychotherapeutic process to prepare for maternity/parenthood and postpartum find it of great help to prevent emotional disorders after childbirth and build a conscious motherhood.
If you decide to be a mother with a partner, you should keep in mind that parental co-responsibility is essential for the woman to feel accompanied. Teaming up with your partner requires communication, presence, responsibility and commitment; When this does not happen we put the health of the woman and the baby at risk.
Many women feel the feeling of abandonment and loneliness in the postpartum period when their partner is not up to the task which is why it is so important to inform, strengthen and raise awareness among the couple.
The feeling of loneliness in motherhood is one of the most common at this stage, surrounding yourself with other mothers will help you, as well as being part of parenting and breastfeeding groups, forming a tribe.
For some mothers, the initial fusion with the baby awakens feelings of enjoyment and joy. Breastfeeding, in these cases, appears as the greatest intimacy between mother and baby. But for other women, this profound fusion can awaken confusion, insecurity, and perhaps a sense of loss of identity. Provide the appropriate environment to accompany the mother in the process of creating this harmony with her baby is the challenge of perinatal psychology.
Having someone to take care of housework, taking care of siblings, putting on washing machines or filling the refrigerator seems like a small thing, but it is a lot. Having the most prosaic needs covered will allow the mother to focus on herself and the baby’s demands, to have time both to take care of herself and recover from childbirth, and to do the necessary hypopressive exercises at home to establish breastfeeding.
Concluding…
As women, socially we are accustomed to caring for and attending to the needs of others, and In a postpartum period, the baby becomes the center and women are usually the forgotten ones. Remember, you are the most important person in your life; Prioritize yourself, take care of yourself, if you are well everything will flow.
Listen to yourself: how do you feel? What do you need? Learn to listen to your needs and ask, express what you need, be assertive, say no to everything you don’t want.
If you don’t feel good about yourself or your partner during the postpartum period, ask for help.
