Reducing The Risk of Postpartum Depression
One in seven new mothers experiences postpartum depression (PPD).
Women who already suffer from anxiety or depression are more prone to PPD – even during pregnancy.
The many different physical, emotional, hormonal, and psychological changes mothers undergo during pregnancy affect their mental state.
Postpartum depression (PPD) most commonly occurs within six weeks after childbirth, affecting about 6.5% to 20% of women.
There are several ways to diagnose, treat, and reduce the risk of PPD.
Among the many causes of PPD, sleep deprivation, stress & anxiety, and lack of personal time contribute to mothers’ deteriorating mental states.
Sleep Deprivation
As a new parent, sleep no longer becomes part of your daily routine. In fact, it quickly becomes a luxury that you cannot afford.
New mothers are at a greater risk of:
daytime sleepiness
fatigue
insomnia
anxiety
non-refreshing sleep
depression
Being sleep deprived worsens symptoms of postpartum depression.
Stress & Anxiety
Having anxious thoughts is a normal part of the new parenting journey. It is natural to worry about even the most minor things, particularly during the first few weeks following birth.
However, if your stress and anxiety levels reach an all-time high that they interfere with your well-being and capacity to function, they need to be addressed.
Crippling levels of stress and anxiety look a lot like this:
irrational fears
excessive worrying about events most likely never to occur
a constant sense of danger
incapacity to sleep out of fear of something happening to your baby
being terrified to leave your baby alone or unattended
not leaving the house out of fear that your baby may reach some harm
Postpartum anxiety shares a lot of symptoms with postpartum depression. However, not everyone suffering from postpartum anxiety also has depression.
To understand your symptoms better, you will need to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Lack of Personal Time
Making time for yourself as a new mother can be quite challenging.
Finding time for yourself is incredibly important to avoid feeling parental burnout.
A lack of personal time affects all parents at some point or the other, but it affects new parents even more.
Therapists share that alone time for mothers is “a necessity, not an indulgence.”
Getting personal time as a new mother can help you steer clear of:
feelings of resentmentpost
impulsive behavior, such as isolation
anger towards yourself or your baby
being overwhelmed
a loss of your sense of self
How Can Invidyo Help
Having a smart baby monitor significantly alleviates the pressures of parenthood. When we designed the Invidyo Smart AI Powered Monitor, we wanted to ensure it becomes every new parent’s best friend.
Invidyo has several important features that help new parents easily manage their time, sleep, and stress levels.