AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Post-Partum Depression

Post-Partum Depression

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Support Groups

Calling Your Health Care Provider

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Depression - Postpartum


Definition

The first month after a delivery (the post-partum period) is a time of major changes for women. Their hormones and weight are rapidly readjusting. There may be new and stressful changes in relationships with other children, the father of the baby, parents and in-laws, colleagues at work, and friends. Of course, the new baby needs almost constant attention and feeding every two hours, resulting in sleep deprivation. All of these factors can contribute to post-partum mood swings.

If the moodiness only lasts 2 -3 weeks and then goes away, it's commonly called the "baby blues". This natural reaction to stress is experienced by more than half of new mothers.

However, if the feelings of depression or anxiety continue more than three weeks, a more serious condition called post-partum depression may exist. About 10% of women experience significant depression after a pregnancy.

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

You have a higher chance of post-partum depression if:

  • You had mood or anxiety disorders prior to pregnancy, including depression with a previous pregnancy
  • You have a close family member who has had depression or anxiety
  • Anything particularly stressful happened to you during the pregnancy, including illness, death or illness of a loved one, a difficult or emergency delivery, premature delivery, or illness or abnormality in the baby
  • You are in your teens or over age 40
  • The pregnancy is unwanted or unplanned
  • You currently abuse alcohol, take illegal substances, or smoke -- these are also serious medical health risks for the baby


Today's Top News Stories

Early Elective C-Sections Produce Complications - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Babies delivered at 37 weeks have double the troubles of those born at 39 weeks.

Gene Governs Response to Leukemia Chemotherapy - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most common pediatric cancer.

Teen Birth Rate Up in 26 States in 2006 - Jan 07, 2009, 14:00
Highest rates in South, Southwest; lowest rates in Northeast, government reports.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 7, 2009 - Jan 07, 2009, 09:58

Study of Everest Climbers Questions Oxygen Use - Jan 07, 2009, 17:00
Whether low levels would work for ER patients with hypoxia remains unclear.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Post-Partum Depression Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Post-Partum Depression Symptoms & Signs
Post-Partum Depression Prevention
Post-Partum Depression Diagnosis & Tests
Post-Partum Depression Treatment
Post-Partum Depression Prognosis
Post-Partum Depression Complications
Post-Partum Depression Support Groups
Calling Your Health Care Provider

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Hypothyroidism
Major Depression

Review Date : 11/23/2003
Reviewed By : John Goldenring, M.D., MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, and Angela Smyth, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Reviews provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Post-Partum Depression






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 08 Jan, 2009