“Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder affecting women after childbirth. Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others.” (NIMH) Pregnancy and postpartum are linked with dramatic variations in steroid and peptide hormones which alter the mothers’ hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes. Dysregulations in these endocrine axes are associated with mood disorders, and hence, it is not very surprising that pregnancy and the postpartum period can have immense effects on maternal mood.
Baby blues vs PPD The term “baby blues” describes the feelings of worry, unhappiness, and fatigue that many women experience after having a baby. Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers. Although feelings/…
