What Causes Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of major depression and mental disorder that affects women after childbirth. It can last for up to the first year.
PPD has many forms and symptoms, so it is difficult to attribute this condition to one unique cause.
Instead, medical professionals believe that postpartum depression can have multiple causes. Each woman who develops this type of depression has risk factors that make her more susceptible to it.
In some cases, it’s unclear why and how a woman developed postpartum or postnatal depression. Not knowing what caused the depression can make it even more confusing and challenging for those suffering from this depressive disorder.
Women with postpartum depression should understand that it is not the result of something they did or did not do. In other words, it is never the new mom’s fault that postpartum depression develops.
Top Causes of Postpartum Depression
Most potential causes of postpartum depression can be placed into one of two categories: physical causes or mental and emotional causes.
Physical Causes of Postpartum Depression
Some of the potential causes of postpartum depression can be attributed to physical changes that occur in a woman’s body during and after pregnancy.
Changes in Hormone Levels
Many medical experts believe that postpartum depression stems from drastic hormonal changes that happen during and after childbirth.
Decreased estrogen and progesterone hormone levels produced by the thyroid can trigger emotional repercussions.
However, many non-depressed women experience the same hormone drop and have the same estrogen levels without incidence of PPD.
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation may also play a significant role in causing postpartum depression. Following childbirth, women often do not get enough sleep due to the new responsibilities of caring for their babies.
A lack of sleep can significantly impact how a woman functions, feels and handles difficult situations. Without proper and consistent sleep, women may start to exhibit signs of postpartum depression.
Physical Body Changes
Women can also experience drastic changes to their bodies and physical appearance during pregnancy and labor. They may struggle with some of these changes.
Physical change may be challenging for those who feel pressure to return to their pre-pregnancy appearance or weight as quickly as possible.
Mental & Emotional Causes of Postpartum Depression
Other causes of postpartum depression can be attributed to a woman’s emotional and mental state after giving birth and in the weeks that follow.
Postpartum Stress and Worry
The postpartum period can be an incredibly stressful time, especially for new mothers who are still adjusting to their new lives and responsibilities.
If these emotions are not adequately addressed or the new mom doesn’t know how to cope, excessive stress and worry can put her at high risk for PPD.
Birth Trauma
Experiencing birth or labor trauma can also trigger PPD to develop, as these events can leave women with painful memories and associations.
Types of birth trauma that can contribute to PPD include physical injuries, like nerve damage or injury to the baby, or emotional trauma that results from experiencing or witnessing a difficult labor.
Life Stressors
Stressful life events such as losing a job or the death of a loved one may also encourage the onset of PPD.
These events are difficult to manage by themselves, but adding a new baby can make them seem even more overwhelming and unmanageable.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression
Identifying a singular cause of postpartum depression is difficult, so it’s better to isolate specific factors that put women at a greater risk of developing PPD.
Risk factors contributing to postpartum depression include genetic, environmental, emotional, psychological, and physical influences.
Genetic and Medical History Risk Factors
Genetic and other medical factors can play a significant role in whether a woman develops PPD and are unfortunately out of her control.
These genetic and medical history postpartum risk factors include:
- Personal history of postpartum depression
- Family history of postpartum depression or other mental illness
- A personal history of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder
- Having experienced PPD in a previous pregnancy
- Having experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy
Environmental Risk Factors
A recent study from the Canadian Medical Association Journal revealed that women who live in big cities have the highest rates of PPD.
These higher rates often occur because many women living in larger cities have lower levels of social support.
The study surveyed 6,126 new mothers living in Canada’s metropolitan cities, suburbs, towns, farming communities, and remote areas.
Mental & Emotional Risk Factors
Recent experiences in a woman’s life that affect her mentally or emotionally can also play a significant role in whether she develops PPD.
These mental and emotional postpartum risk factors include:
- Recent stressful life events such as the loss of a job or the death of a loved one
- Lack of time for self-care
- Lack of time to socialize, leading to feelings of loneliness
- Lack of emotional support from friends, family members, or domestic partners
- Being in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship
Other Risk Factors
There are a variety of other possible risk factors that play a role in whether a woman will develop postpartum depression.
These other postpartum risk factors include:
- Having an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- Having a baby with health problems or special needs
- Being under the age of 20 when pregnant
- Current substance abuse, such as drugs or alcohol
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not maintaining proper nutrition
- Abruptly stopping taking medications during or after pregnancy
- Being single or without a partner to co-parent
- Having low socioeconomic status
- Having a history of abortions
Talk to your primary care physician or a mental health professional if you are concerned about postpartum depression risk factors that may affect you.
What Are the Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression?
Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is the standard treatment recommendation for postpartum depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy are additional types of therapy available for treating PPD.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe you antidepressants (many of which are safe to take while breastfeeding) to help you manage depression and anxiety symptoms. One medication option is Brexanolone, which is approved specifically for treating PPD.
Beyond therapy and medication, many women suffering from postpartum depression also find relief by joining support groups. Larger organizations such as Postpartum Support International offer online support groups for women needing remote attendance.
In some cases of more severe PPD or for postpartum psychosis, inpatient treatment may be recommended to keep the new mother and her baby safe.
When to Seek Help for Postpartum Depression
Women with PPD often experience more than just a depressed mood. Symptoms of postpartum depression can include mood swings, anxiety, trouble sleeping, low self-esteem, and feelings of sadness, anger, or even worthlessness.
The Office on Women’s Health (a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) recommends speaking with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist more than two weeks after childbirth.
Your doctor will perform a postpartum depression screening to gather details about your symptoms and other background health information, such as medical history.
Then, your healthcare provider will discuss options with you for treating postpartum depression after assessing the level of PPD that you might have.
Find Professional Support for Postpartum Depression
No matter what caused your postpartum depression, you deserve high-quality care and professional support to help you manage it.
We can also help you find the care you need. Contact us today to discuss treatment options, or browse our directory of highly qualified therapists to find treatment near you.
Postpartum Depression Causes & Risk Factors FAQs
What increases the risk of postpartum depression?
Several factors can increase the risk of postpartum depression:
- Being a single mom
- Having limited social or familial support
- Conflict with spouse or partner
- Personal history of depression or a mood disorder
- Family members with a history of depression
- An unwanted pregnancy
- Pregnancy complications
- Having a baby with special needs
Who is at increased risk of postpartum depression?
While both men and women are at risk for postpartum depression, those at a higher risk are first-time moms, women under the age of 25, and mothers of multiples.
Despite these risk factors, postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders can happen to anyone and can affect both women and men.
Is postpartum depression a normal part of pregnancy and birth?
While postpartum baby blues are considered normal after pregnancy and birth, postpartum depression is not regarded as normal.
Postpartum depression is common, though, affecting roughly 15% of new moms. However, it can be dangerous for both mother and baby’s well-being and can be difficult to overcome without treatment.
