Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects one in seven new mothers. — Photo: Freepik
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a struggle that is often overshadowed by society’s expectation of unbridled joy after childbirth.
For Rani, 33, (who uses a pseudonym), the reality was far from the glowing happiness she had been told to expect from strangers and distant relatives.
Her experience with PPD began when she had her firstborn in 2021. At first, she chalked up feeling empty to the tiredness of being a new mother.
But when weeks turned into months, that feeling inside her slowly grew into something bleaker.
“It was like a dark cloud had descended upon me... it was a deep sadness I couldn’t shake off,” she says.
“Then came the crying... it was uncontrollable. Sometimes it would happen for no reason at all. Everything felt overwhelming. Even simple tasks like showering or eating was a chore I could not complete,” she adds.
Apart from these feelings, Rani says she would also feel like a failure as a mother.
“Everyone was telling me how happy and grateful I should be, that a child is a gift from God, but I felt the opposite... I thought maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.”
Long days would blur into nights of anxiety for her, as she remembers having a weak body and a restless mind due to the lack of appetite and sleep.
Navigating this experience on her own was difficult. For four and a half months, Rani opted to suffer in silence and did not reach out to her family as she did not want to worry them.
Everything changed when Rani’s husband found her crying in their spare bedroom in middle of the night, prompting him to immediately seek help from their Reverend and his wife.
“My husband was my rock when he realised that I had PPD. He took over a lot of the household chores and helped with our firstborn at night so I could try to rest,” she says. “Just knowing he was there, supporting me, made a huge difference.”
Support system, according to professional counsellor and mental health coach Faith Foo, plays a vital role in managing PPD and what Rani’s husband did was what any new mother with PPD needed.
Foo says baby blues are temporary and manageable, unlike PPD which can significantly impact a new mother’s daily life. Photo: Faith Foo Siew Yuen
A strong social support, she says, significantly improves outcomes of patients.
“Offering practical help, such as taking on household tasks and assisting with childcare, can bring a significant difference to a new mother’s mood,” she shares.
“Loved ones are encouraged to offer practical assistance, listen without judgement, encourage professional help and watch for warning signs.”
Faith was also another cornerstone of her journey towards recovery, Rani says. “My Reverend’s wife was wonderful. She listened without judgement and explained what was happening to my body and mind.”
She even found a therapist who specialised in PPD for me,” she says. “My therapist, who diagnosed me with PPD, helped me understand why I was feeling the way I was and gave me behavioural tools to cope.
Professional helped soon proved transformative for Rani as it gave her a safe space to talk about her feelings. Joining a support group for new mothers further reinforced a sense of solidarity that she wasn’t alone in fighting this.
In Malaysia, several support groups and community resources are available for new mothers experiencing mental health struggles.
These include postpartum private care centres, community centres and NGOs which Foo encourages new mothers to proactively seek.
“Engaging with these organisations can provide additional avenues for assistance and connection,” she adds.
Mental health care for mothers is important for new mothers to integrate in their life.
“Engaging in mindful practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress,” Foo explains.
“Prioritising self-care through good nutrition, regular exercise and sufficient sleep is crucial.”
Self-care became important to Rani’s well-being as she highlights the value of simple, calming activities that improved her mood and made her feel more like herself while she recovered.
“Spending time in nature, going for walks, even just sitting in my garden, lifted my spirits so much.”
“Even simple things, like taking a warm bath allowed me to relax and de-stress. Eating healthy food, even when I did not feel like it, also made a difference in my energy levels and getting enough sleep, whenever I could, was crucial, even if it meant napping during the day.”
Common but treatable
A 2022 study on perinatal depression found that approximately one in seven new mothers are affected by this mood disorder during pregnancy or within the first year of childbirth.
Published in the National Library of Medicine – an online platform containing biomedical and genomic information – researches noted that this potentially severe disorder often manifests itself through persistent sadness, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, anxiety and difficulties bonding with the baby.
“Therefore, effective recognition and management of perinatal depression are essential for optimising the health outcomes of the parent and infant,” it says.
“PPD is more than just baby blues,” Foo says. While the latter is characterised by feelings of anxiety and mood swings, it usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.
Look out: Some signs for husbands and loved ones to look out for in a new mother. Photo: The Stargraphic
“PPD, on the other hand, is a more severe and prolonged form of depression that can significantly impact a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby,” she adds.
Foo stresses that the key difference between baby blues and PPD is the severity and duration of the symptoms.
“If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, professional help is crucial.” Foo says the complex interplay of physical and hormonal changes after childbirth can contribute to PPD.
The dramatic drop in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone, coupled with physical changes like pain, fatigue and body changes can significantly impact a new mother’s well-being.
“Beyond PPD, these women are also more likely to experience anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),” she states.
“Anxiety can manifest as excessive worry about the baby’s health, while OCD might involve intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the baby and repetitive behaviours to prevent it.”
Diagnosing PPD involves clinical assessments and standardised questionnaires, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS).
Foo emphasises on the importance of considering a new mother’s previous mental health history during diagnosis, as it is a crucial risk factor.
Treatment options for PPD vary depending on the severity of symptoms. Lifestyle changes including exercise, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep can be beneficial for mild cases.
According to Foo, therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), can provide coping strategies and emotional support.
“In more severe cases, medication, often in conjunction with therapy, may be necessary,” she explains.
Foo advises that all medication decisions be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, especially for breastfeeding mothers.
Preventive measures crucial
“It is best to take preventive measures such as creating a postpartum support plan, addressing existing mental health concerns and prioritising self-care to reduce the risk of developing PPD,” she says.
“Integrating mental health care into postpartum healthcare through routine screenings and accessible counselling services is necessary for new mothers.”
While PPD is treatable and most women, like Rani, recover with appropriate support, untreated PPD can have long-term consequences.
Women with a history of PPD have a higher risk of recurrence in future pregnancies.
Emotional support, practical help, staying observant and getting professional support are necessary for new mothers. Photo: The Stargraphic
“This is why early intervention and ongoing care are important as it ensures the long-term mental well-being for mothers,” Foo says.
“Any new mother who is struggling with emotional difficulties must reach out for help... you are not alone, know that effective treatment is available for you.”
On her path to recovery, Rani has discovered resilience she did not know she possessed.
“I realised how strong I am. I went through something incredibly difficult, and I came out the other side.”
Her journey has also caused her to be more mindful of her family and other mothers in a similar boat as hers.
“Today, I am a mother of two daughters and everyday I am thankful for my family and their support,” she says.
“From my experience, I have learned to be kinder to myself. I have also stopped striving for perfection and accepted that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes,” she adds.
Foo says baby blues are temporary and manageable, unlike PPD which can significantly impact a new mother’s daily life. Photo: Faith Foo Siew Yuen
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects one in seven new mothers. — Photo: Freepik
Emotional support, practical help, staying observant and getting professional support are necessary for new mothers. Photo: The Stargraphic
Some signs for husbands and loved ones to look out for in new mothers. Photo: The Stargraphic
