Maternity and Mood Fluctuations

The symptoms of mental disorder are not properly breastfeeding and not taking care of the child. Some women may harm the baby and even prepare to commit suicide because of the mental disorder.

What can be done?

We all know about the psychological problems (postnatal/postpartum blues) women experience after the childbirth. The symptoms of these are depression, crying, irritability, anxiety, insomnia and decreased appetite. Commonly these problems start 2-3 days after the delivery and continues till two weeks. Mostly no treatment is required for this. Postnatal blues are temporary, and it disappears on its own!

Why Postnatal blues occur?

The hormonal changes that happen in a women’s body after delivery are the main reasons for postnatal blues. Moreover, new responsibilities for the mother, lack of sleep, breast feeding the child and the pain after delivery also adds to these reasons.

Mood changes during Pregnancy and delivery:

Both depression and anxiety mainly affect during pregnancy. 15-20% pregnant women experience depression and anxiety. Apart from this, some also have Tokophobia (extreme fear about the delivery). Also, mental disorder (psychosis) occurs in one in thousand mothers after the childbirth.

The symptoms of mental disorder are not properly breastfeeding and not taking care of the child. Some women may harm the baby and even prepare to commit suicide because of the mental disorder.

Will the mother’s mood fluctuations affect the child?

Many changes happen both physically and mentally occurs in a woman during the pregnancy. When a pregnant mother is many stressed, chemical substances and hormones are released in the mother’s body and they reach the baby through the placenta. Researchers have found out that this affects the development and functioning of the baby’s brain.

According to recent studies, if more stress hormones affect an unborn baby, the child will have more anxiety. Moreover, problems likely behavior disorder, Autism, and hyperactivity disorder may also increase in these babies.

The benefits of baby shower ceremony?

Baby shower ceremonies are traditionally followed to keep the pregnant women in a happy mood. But, today issues arising between the couple’s family regarding who should and where to conduct the ritual, bring more mental stress to women rather than happiness. So understanding the importance of conducting the ceremony is more crucial.

Support and awareness are the solutions!

Breastfeeding comes as the first experience between the mother and child. To do this properly, if both of them need some days, they should be given support and encouragement. Instead, words of discouragement by family members make the mother to undergo postnatal blues. Hence giving supportive care to the mother, providing nutritional foods, following the advice of psychiatrist are the solutions for postnatal psychological issues.

For professional advice on pregnancy and childcare related doubts, women can contact the Maternity and pediatric specialist at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Guindy and Sholinganallur.

Dr. Mathangi Rajagopalan, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology, MBBS, DGO, MRCOG BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, Guindy, Chennai

Dr. Mathangi Rajagopalan

Senior Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology

MBBS, DGO, MRCOG

BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, Guindy, Chennai

Dr. Vidhya Moorthy, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Medicine, MBBS, MRCOG, Diploma in Fetal Medicine BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, Guindy, Chennai