How Postpartum Doulas Support Mothers Through Postpartum Mood Disorders

Birth is a time of massive transition and change for mothers. The whole rhythm of their life changes, along with the shape of their body, their energy level and their hormones.

Hormonal changes can have a devastating impact on mood, causing symptoms like postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms. Combine these with the uncertainty and weakness that comes with having a new addition to the family and you may have a recipe for one of the happiest times of life becoming a time of misery.

What can be done to help a new mother stabilize after the birth? How can bonding with the baby be encouraged, and the mother's anxiety be calmed?

One great option is a postpartum doula. While birth doulas are trained to help with the birthing process, a postpartum doula is trained to help mothers and babies after birth. They can make nutritious meals, consult on troubles that arise with mother and baby, give the mother time for self-care and mental health, and keep an eye open for symptoms that may require professional help.

If you want to reduce the chances of a mother developing postpartum mood disorders, and to help her get through the emotional difficulties that arise, reach out to a postpartum doula for help. Their expertise and kindness is invaluable to a new mother.

The Postpartum Period: A Common Time for Mood Disorders

When a mother has a new baby, she wants to enjoy this beautiful time. Getting to know a new family member is a uniquely wonderful experience, and the newborn stage goes by so fast that it's vital to savor every moment.

Risk Factors: Why Do Postpartum Mood Disorders Arise?

But there are many difficulties that come along with these joys. The social dynamics within and outside the home change rapidly. The way she interacts with any other children is different after a new baby arrives, as is the way she and her husband relate to one another.

She may struggle with insecurity about her appearance. She may be discouraged by the work of the home that doesn't get done because she is recovering and caring for a little one. All of these fears can contribute to postpartum depression and other mood disorders.

Some mothers are tempted to get up and do too much too soon, leading to injuries and health setbacks, while others become discouraged and depressed and may not want to leave the bed even to take a shower.

Nearly every mother finds that she gets nowhere near enough sleep, as the baby wakes up many times each night makes even daytime napping difficult. Inadequate sleep reduces quality of life in a multitude of ways, including increased risk of mood disorders.

Either of these extremes can lead to postpartum depression or some other mood disorder, as the experience of postpartum anxiety leads to them feeling inadequate.

How a Postpartum Doula Can Help With Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Sometimes women experience what is called postpartum blues, a time of mild sorrow and difficulty coping with day-to-day challenges. With help and support, a woman can recover from this pretty easily. But if she has inadequate support, postpartum blues can turn into postpartum depression.

This is where a postpartum doula can help. These professionals are excellent at recognizing the needs of a mother who has the postpartum blues.

They will observe the mother's food intake and help her make more nutritious meals and snacks for herself; they will take the baby and make sure that the mother has had time to shower and take care of herself; and she will talk with the mother about any concerns she may have, helping her not to worry about the little things that can trouble her mind.

When it comes to the baby blues, a little sadness is expected, but having the help of a postpartum doula can make a huge difference in whether the symptoms of postpartum depression develop or worsen.

Other Mood Disorders: Postpartum Anxiety in Many Forms

While the postpartum blues are one of the most common postpartum mood disorders, there are many other mental health conditions that can emerge or worsen during the postpartum period.

Anxiety disorders are very common among women in many stages of life, and the postpartum period tends to exacerbate them. Worries about the baby, relationships, health, and work can all begin to weigh on a woman's mind, stealing the joy from what should be a beautiful time of healing and restoration.

Sometimes anxiety disorders can even progress after a baby arrives, causing further complications like postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder.

How A Postpartum Doula Can Help With Anxiety Disorders

For all of these instances, the presence of a postpartum doula can help the mother stay relaxed and in control of her symptoms of postpartum anxiety. If the mother is worried about her ability to parent multiple children, the doula can help her to navigate this transition gracefully; the doula can take the baby so that the mother can have much-needed rest, and can advise her on whether it's the right time to start some light exercise.

When a mother is struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, an extra pair of hands can help her to stabilize and relax in her new role as a mother of a newborn.

Help For Mothers: Prevent and Recognize Postpartum Psychosis

When some people think of postpartum mood disorders, they think of the worst-case scenario. In reality, postpartum psychosis is very rare, and often very preventable.

A woman with plenty of support and help has every opportunity to stabilize her mood disorder before it reaches an extreme like postpartum psychosis.

A postpartum doula will quickly see the troubles in a mother's environment that are triggering her mood disorder, and help correct them: whether it's a messy home, difficulty with food preparation, distractions from other kids, or her worries and fears about herself and the baby, the postpartum doula is professionally trained to give the mother support, comfort and help in many areas.

Sometimes a shower at the right moment, without worrying about whether the baby will fuss, is all it takes for growing postpartum depression to be relieved.

And, if the worst does happen and the postpartum mood disorders begin to worsen toward postpartum psychosis, a postpartum doula is trained to know how to recognize the signs that a woman needs increased supervision, and can recommend treatment options.

So if a woman in your life has risk factors for postpartum mood disorders leading to postpartum psychosis, consider hiring a postpartum doula to help prevent and diagnose these disorders.

Can a Postpartum Doula Help With a Mood Disorder?

The postpartum period is difficult to navigate. There is a delicate balance of many factors. Some of the most beautiful moments of life can be overshadowed by the misery and weight of postpartum depression. Postpartum mood disorders that start as simply the baby blues can evolve into life-threatening mental health conditions, but even a mild case of postpartum anxiety can still turn a beautiful time of life into a difficult season.

Pregnant and postpartum women need support and help if they are to successfully navigate the process of bringing new life into the world. Understanding and love are vitally important, but so is tangible help.

No one wants to leave the baby to cry alone while loading the dishwasher or taking a shower; having this constant battle between their own needs and the needs of the baby can create tension and pressure that can completely steal joy.

The Solution to Postpartum Depression

Consider hiring a postpartum doula. She will enter the home with knowledge, wisdom, and willingness to help. Expertly trained and experienced postpartum doulas will have all kinds of tricks for keeping a baby happy; they can help with breastfeeding trouble and other physical concerns; and they can even help entertain other children, prepare nutritious meals, and let the mom have time to shower and take a walk.

Alleviating these pressures can make a world of difference in preventing postpartum mood disorders. Postpartum depression may not be entirely eliminated with support and extra help, but its effects will be far less severe.

In addition, if symptoms of postpartum depression develop, a postpartum doula will be able to notice and see to it that appropriate treatment is recommended.