Smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for developing PPD. Domestic violence in the form of spouse sexual and physical and verbal abuse can also be a causative factor in the development of the disease. Social factors: Lack of social support can cause postpartum depression. Meconium passage, umbilical cord prolapse, preterm or low birth infant, and low hemoglobin are associated with PPD. Obstetric risk factors: Risky pregnancy which includes emergency cesarean section and hospitalizations during pregnancy. Psychological: History of depression and anxiety, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Negative attitude towards the baby, the reluctance of baby gender, history of sexual abuse are perpetual factors for developing postpartum depression. PPD can occur in females having depression and anxiety in any trimester of pregnancy. There is also a stigma around new mothers in that disclosure may lead to abandonment and fear of lack of support. Maternal brain response and behavior are compromised in PPD. According to Beck in 2006, as many as half of PPD in new mothers go undiagnosed because of conflict in privacy and not wanting to disclose to close family members.

PPD affects the mother and her relationship with the infant. While women experiencing baby blues tend to recover quickly, PPD tends to be longer and severely affects women's ability to return to normal function. These feelings of sadness and tearfulness are called 'baby blues,' and they tend to decrease over the first 2 weeks after delivery.Īround one in seven women can develop postpartum depression (PPD). Tremendous changes occur in the mother's familial and interpersonal world. After childbirth, a mother can experience varied emotions ranging from joy and pleasure to sadness and crying bouts. A female goes through a lot of hormonal, physical, emotional, and psychological changes throughout pregnancy. Childbirth is a difficult and exhausting process.

Postpartum depression insomnia