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For my STEAM project I chose the course objective of explaining common disorders during pregnancy and their cause. In order to accomplish this I decided to use the topic of postpartum depression.
After giving birth, many women experience a range of emotions that may include sadness, anxiety, and irritability, known as postpartum depression (PPD). Nearly one in seven women develop and experience PPD. Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that play a significant role in this development. During pregnancy, these hormones increase significantly, and following the delivery of a child, they decrease rapidly. This hormonal shift can contribute to the onset of PPD. Estrogen helps regulate mood, and low levels of this hormone have been linked to depression. Progesterone also plays a role in mood regulation, and low levels of this hormone have been linked to anxiety.
The risk of experiencing postpartum depression can be increased by having a family history of the condition, especially if it was severe. Physical changes that occur after childbirth, such as a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone hormones, as well as a decrease in thyroid gland hormones, can also contribute to postpartum depression. Emotional issues such as sleep deprivation, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety about caring for a newborn, and a sense of loss of control over one’s life can also play a role in the development of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression symptoms can vary in terms of frequency, intensity, and duration from person to person. While the symptoms may resemble those of depression, they can also involve feeling disconnected from the baby, withdrawing from loved ones, crying more often than usual, feeling angry, worrying about hurting the baby, and feeling guilty about not being a good mom or doubting one’s ability to care for the new child.
It’s important to know that postpartum depression doesn’t simply disappear on its own. In fact, it can surface several days or even months after giving birth. If left untreated, it can have a lasting impact for weeks or even months. Postpartum depression can make it incredibly difficult to make it through the day, and can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help manage the symptoms of this condition. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, treatment may include therapy, medication, or support groups. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs. In addition to professional treatment, self-care practices can also be beneficial in managing postpartum depression symptoms. Exercise is a great way to release endorphins, which can help improve your mood. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, can also be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. Eating a healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamins and nutrients can also be beneficial for your mental health.
References
Anatomy and Physiology 2e. (2023, May 4). openstax. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-ovarian-reproductive-system?query=Estrogen%20progesterone%20pregnancy%20&target=%7B%22type%22%3A%22search%22%2C%22index%22%3A0%7D#fs-id2751171
Depression Among Women. (2023, May 22). CDC. Retrieved August 3, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm
Green, K., & Low, M. (2022, May). .Postpartum Depression: Updates in Evaluation and Care. ScienceDirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfpn.2021.12.008
Kroska, E. B., & Stowe, Z. N. (2023, May 4). Postpartum Depression: Identification and Treatment in the Clinic Setting. ScienceDirect. https://doi-org.uaf.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2020.05.001
Postpartum Depression – StatPearls. (2022, October 7). NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519070/
Postpartum depression – Symptoms and causes. (2022, November 24). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
Heidi Faulkner covered something that affects many women after pregnancy: Post Partum Depression (PPD). As Heidi explains in her STEAM project, PPD is a significant complication with childbirth that affects 1 in 7 women. Her project explains that one factor in PPD is the role of increased Estrogen and Progesterone hormones in pregnancy. During pregnancy, the levels of these hormones are increased significantly but decrease rapidly after the delivery of the child. This significant hormonal shift can contribute to PPD as Estrogen and Progesterone both play roles in regulating mood, depression, and anxiety.
Heidi Faulkner discusses how the risk of PPD can be increased with a family history of the condition, especially if it was severe. The project also mentions other factors such as a decrease in thyroid gland hormones, emotional issues, sleep deprivation, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety about the care of the newborn and a sense of loss of control over one’s life. As Heidi mentions, these symptoms can vary from person to person. Postpartum depression can also manifest in feeling disconnected from the baby, withdrawing from loved ones, anger, guilt, and doubt.
PPD can have a latent onset from sever days to months after giving birth and can last weeks or months. Fortunately, as Heidi explains, many treatment options are available for the condition. These treatments can include therapy, medication, or support groups. As she notes, it is also important to work with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for a patient’s individual needs.
Heidi Faulkner did her project on Post Partum Depression (PPD). In her project she explains what causes PPD, the symptoms of PPD, and how PPD can be treated. Heidi tells us that post partum depression is very common and that many women experience it after giving birth. She explains that PPD is caused by a large increase and decrease of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. While a woman is pregnant she experiences high levels of these hormones and once she gives birth then those hormones decrease suddenly. Heidi explains that this hormonal shift is what causes PPD because both of these hormones function in regulating our moods, depression, and anxiety.
In Heidi’s project she tells us the symptoms of PPD. These symptoms include sleep deprivation, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety about caring for a newborn, a sense of loss of control over one’s life, depression, withdrawing from loved ones, and feeling angry and guilty. These symptoms and PPD can have a higher chance of occurring if you have family history of PPD.
Heidi explains at the end of her project that there are treatments of PPD that include therapy, medication, support groups, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. Heidi also notes that if someone is experiencing PPD that they should talk with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment.