If PPD Is Making You Feel Disconnected From Your Baby, You're Not Alone

"You spent hours picking nursery colors and finishes, agonized over the Snoo or a regular crib, and picked out their homecoming outfit months in advance. You planned every detail, expecting your first moments at home with your baby to be some of the most joyful of your life. When that time does come, instead of basking in happiness, you're overcome by anxiety, sadness and hopelessness, making the baby's needs feel overwhelming."

"Postpartum depression is a mood disorder which occurs after birth, with onset being anytime between one week to one year postpartum. "It significantly impacts functioning and quality of life for new moms and parents," says Dr. Niyati Dhand, M.D., a double board-certified perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist, and founder of Alaire Psychiatry in Chicago. The prevalence of PPD is 1 in 8 or about 13%, though some healthcare professionals say the number is higher."

Many new mothers experience anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, and a sense of disconnection from their newborn instead of expected joy. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder with onset from one week to one year after birth that impairs functioning, quality of life, and relationships. The estimated prevalence is roughly 1 in 8 (13%), though some clinicians report higher rates. PPD can last several months without treatment. Causes are multifactorial, including biological, psychological, and social factors; biological contributors include dramatic postpartum hormonal shifts and changes in the endocrine, neurosteroid, and immune systems, with genetics also playing a role. Women commonly report low, depressed, or irritable mood.

Read at Scary Mommy