1 day Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune Lani Rose R Dizon Many things have been said about it: either it’s just all in the mind or only weak women have it. But scientific studies confirm that postpartum depression isn’t just another modern-day invention used by women to blame for all their negative emotions and behaviour after childbirth. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10-15% of pregnant women and 13-19% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression.
It added that worldwide up to 1 in 5 women experience postpartum depression, which happens after giving birth and causes extreme sadness and despair. And in severe cases, the suffering of mothers might be so severe that they may even commit suicide. “I had postpartum depression during my first pregnancy seven years ago.
Before that, I thought postpartum depression was really just for weak people. But I also experienced it. It was a quick shifting of different emotions.
I would feel very happy and then sad, and angry. I didn’t like touching my baby. I was thinking that my baby was not mine because the face looked really different.
I was also getting tired of breastfeeding and I was feeling the pain, even back pain,” said Josephine (name changed), a 34-year-old primary school teacher in Doha while speaking to Qatar Tribune in an interview recently. Another mother, Katy (name changed), a 37-year-old HR professional in Doha who recalls her own bout with postpartum depression also told Qatar Tribune, “It was my first time being a mother and I remember having a lot of mixed emotions combined with paranoia. It happened 12 years ago with my firstborn son.
The first time I saw him, I remember feeling discontented because he didn’t look like what I expected. I was expecting him to look cuter. Everyday, I was also crying because I felt alone and no one was there to help me.
I kept telling my husband and mother to come home sooner.” Often misunderstood with many myths surrounding it, such as it is a less severe type of mental health disorder; postpartum depression is actually as serious as other types of depression. Postpartum depression can take many forms and can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time, according to PostpartumDepression.
org. It added that the mental health disorder generally lasts between three to six months for the affected mothers, depending on several factors. However, due to stigma and misconceptions, many affected mothers delay and even avoid seeking treatment.
A recent WHO meta-analysis showed that about 20% of mothers in developing countries experience clinical depression after childbirth, with suicide also considered an important cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women. Studies show that suicide attempts during and after pregnancy have nearly tripled over the past decade. And over 60% of women who took their own life during the postpartum period had not seen a mental health care provider within the month leading up to their death.
And in cases of psychotic illnesses, the risk of infanticide though rare, must also be taken into account. Both Josephine and Katy did not seek professional treatment while suffering from postpartum depression. The two mothers also noted that they were not even aware that they were actually already experiencing postpartum depression at the time.
“I suffered from it for about one to two months after delivering my baby, and I didn’t realise it was already postpartum depression. Aside from the crying spells, I was also easily irritated. I had a lot of fears that I was becoming paranoid.
I was always checking if my baby was still breathing because I was having dreams that he died. I also had to breastfeed him every three hours, so all the mixed emotions and pressure were taking a toll on me,” said Katy, who is now a mother of two boys in Doha. Women suffering from postpartum depression often neglect caring for themselves and may even fail to provide adequate care for their newborn babies.
After childbirth, the mother with depression suffers a lot and may fail to effectively eat or bathe. Josephine, who just gave birth to her third son in Doha in September, added, “Actually during the past six months, I wasn’t caring for myself well because I just focused on the baby. Recently, I noticed while looking at the mirror that this is not me.
What happened to me? My hair is so dull. I need to do something. So, it’s been a week now that I started working on self-care again.
I have also started my calorie deficit diet, because I am getting bigger from eating a lot which is needed when breastfeeding.” The WHO reiterated that depression causes enormous suffering and disability as well as reduced response to a child’s need. Globally, maternal mental health problems are considered a major public health challenge.
Evidence indicates that treating the depression of mothers leads to improved growth and development of newborn babies. Support from family and friends also significantly help women in overcoming their battles against postpartum depression. For Katy, she learned to appreciate the already existing support provided by her husband and mother in Doha.
Josephine added, “I encouraged myself to cheer up, especially during my maternity leave when I was alone with the kids and my husband was at work, I remember feeling tired and the kids didn’t want to eat and were fighting. I said to myself, ‘I’m tired, but no, I need to be strong’. And I thank God for the strength.
I don’t know where I was getting the energy. I was sleep deprived from breastfeeding, and I still needed to work and teach kids at school. Also, I kept reminding myself that my children need me.
I had to take care of myself if I wanted to be there for my children.” After enduring postpartum depression, Josephine encouraged other mothers experiencing a similar season and said, “Embrace your season of motherhood. Cherish the cuddles with your children, because when they grow up, you’ll be missing it a lot.
And love yourself, because you cannot love others if you don’t love yourself. Have a positive outlook in life. And for my three boys, I want to tell them that they don’t owe me anything, because I was the one who dreamed of them, so they were my dreams and they are the fulfillment of my dreams.
” To date, a number of health programmes are available in the country to provide support for women before, during, and after their pregnancies. Maternal and child health counsellors from the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) provide health counselling and support during pregnancy, after childbirth, as well as support on breastfeeding. This service is available in all health centres across Qatar.
Copy 01/05/2025 10.
