Dealing with postpartum depression

First time mothers are prone to postpartum depression. If you see any symptoms, seek help from a doctor or a professional counsellor. NET PHOTO

What you need to know:

After having a baby, many women get baby blues or mood swings. One minute they feel happy, and the next minute, they are sad or can’t sleep well and may last several days. Daisy Namayanja shares how new parents can enjoy motherhood.

“After the birth of my first born, I did not have any mature person to look after me. My husband’s leave days from work expired the day we were discharged from hospital. I had to stay at home with my baby, with the help of a nanny. I had many stitches because my baby was very big at birth. Whenever my baby cried, I would cry too. I was too depressed. I did not like my baby and I hated my husband,” Jackeline Tumusiime explains.
When her friends got to know that she was depressed, they changed her environment. They started making time to be with her. They sought ways of making her happy again.
“It took some time but l recovered. I overcame depression by spending time with peoplethat l love most. My husband started helping with the baby and encouraging me. I also prayed to God to see me through depression.”
Doreen Kembabazi says she lost interest in things she loved doing. “I stopped taking care of myself. I did not care about how I dressed. Whether my hair was neat or not, that did not matter. I was always sad. I wondered if my husband would still find me attractive. I worried about being the best mom. I worried about my job and baby. I became insecure about everything.”

Symptoms
Janet Nakigudde, a clinical psychologist from the Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences at Makerere University says postpartum depression presents in form of: lack of appetite, insomnia, fatigue, crying, feeling hopeless and worthless. “This happens to women who were not prepared to have a baby, or if they get a miscarriage and fail to overcome it.”

How severe it is
Evelyn Connie Kharono Lufafa, a counselling psychologist at Talk Therapy Uganda, describes postpartum depression as a persistent, serious condition, characterised by feelings of sadness, worthlessness and anxiety. She explains that in severe cases, mothers become violent towards their babies or themselves. “In Africa where there is little awareness about postpartum depression, many moms suffer silently, without help. One in four women in Africa suffers from depression and 85 per cent have no access to treatment,” says Lufafa.
Research shows that if one has a history of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression during pregnancy, recent stressful life events, or inadequate support at home, they are more vulnerable to postpartum depression.

Remedy
“Do not ignore feelings of anxiety and extreme fears. Start by confiding in your partner, confidant or your doctor. Seek psychoeducation about postpartum depression because when one has knowledge about it, they will know how to deal with it. Make use of your relatives or friends to find support or seek services of a professional counsellor,” Evelyn Lufafa advises.