Postpartum and Postpartum Depression in Leesburg
Giving birth causes your body to go through substantial changes that continue in the weeks following delivery. Many women experience depressive moods during postpartum because of changing hormones, stress, and adjusting to parenthood. Since the time following childbirth is already a challenging time, postpartum depression could significantly impact your life.
There are treatment options to support you during postpartum and postpartum depression in Leesburg. Managing the symptoms as quickly as possible is ideal for preventing them from worsening. Reach out for an obstetrics consultation if you have depressive symptoms or complications during the time following the birth of your child.
What Happens in the Time Following the Birth of a Baby?
The postpartum period refers to the six weeks after giving birth when a woman’s body goes through significant changes to heal and readjust after pregnancy. During this time, new mothers need to rest and take care of their health as their body heals and hormone levels fluctuate. Since hormone changes are likely, many postpartum women develop postpartum depression.
Physical Changes
Significant physical changes typically include abdominal pain, as the uterus returns to its natural size and shape, along with breast and nipple soreness. In addition, some women may experience weight loss, water retention, constipation, and vaginal bleeding or discharge for several weeks. Medical care for postpartum changes is typically unnecessary unless significant complications develop.
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Postpartum depression is not limited to the six to eight weeks after childbirth, as it may last longer for some women. The condition could cause typical symptoms of depression, including trouble sleeping, anxiety, mood swings, and increased crying.
Postpartum depression could also result in reduced concentration, problems with appetite, and increased feelings of irritability and being overwhelmed. For some women, disruptive thoughts and feelings could create difficulty bonding with their new baby. Since this condition significantly impacts mental functioning, seeking postpartum depression treatment at our Centreville and Leesburg offices is highly encouraged.
Treatment Methods for Leesburg Women Dealing with Postpartum Depression
Our postpartum treatments in Leesburg utilize the typical methods for managing major depressive disorder symptoms. Specifically, an individual’s treatment plan for the condition could use a combination of medications, self-care techniques, and various therapies. Possible forms of therapy include psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
The usual choice for medication is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which helps improve anxiety and mood. When taking an SSRI, the amount of serotonin produced by the brain is increased to combat depression and reduce symptoms.
Postpartum depression patients may want to consider relaxation techniques to manage and reduce stress for self-care. Examples for practicing self-care include yoga, rhythmic exercise, deep breathing, and other enjoyable activities.
Call for a Postpartum and Postpartum Depression Consultation in Leesburg
While you expect your lifestyle to drastically change as you adjust to parenthood, there may be some unexpected additional changes after giving birth. Postpartum depression affects between ten and 20 percent of new mothers. This being a relatively common condition, there are several treatment methods and support systems for postpartum and postpartum depression in Leesburg.
Like treating major depressive disorder, your treatment plan may include therapy, medications, and at-home stress management techniques. With treatment, we aim to get you back to feeling like yourself so you can enjoy time with your new baby. Call our office to schedule a consultation to discuss your experience and symptoms.