postpartum

          Few weeks ago, I was affected by the news about troubled mothers.  One story that shocked me was a mother who killed her husband and children. It was so horrible to imagine how that mother committed such act to her loved ones. The report pointed to the negative effect after giving birth, postpartum. 

         The word postpartum simply means after the act of giving birth. From the latin word partum  means after childbirth; post + partum,  accusative of partus  a bringing forth, equivalent to par ( ere ) to bear.

          When I gave birth to my eldest (Nathan) via cesarean , it was a mixed emotions.  In the hospital I was very anxious as a first time mom.  When we got home, I cannot explain why tears keep on coming! It was unexplained sadness.  My thought at that moment was on my husband. Why his attention became divided between me and our son. I felt I am now unimportant to him.  I also pitied my husband for being tired taking care of me and our baby. I had a bit of indifference to my new born son. It was very hard to control my emotion at that time. It continued for more three weeks and it came to a point where my OB suggested that maybe I need to visit a Psychiatrist. What I’ve been through, I found out that it was postpartum blues.

The postpartum blues

After the baby is born, many new mothers have the "postpartum blues" or the "baby blues." The word "blues" is not really correct since women with this condition are happy most of the time. But compared to how she usually feels, the new mother:

• Is more irritable
• Cries more easily
• Feels sad
• Feels confused

The postpartum blues peak three to five days after delivery. They usually end by the tenth day after the baby's birth. Although the postpartum blues are not pleasant, the woman can function normally. The feeling of the "blues" usually lessens and goes away over time.
Medical experts believe that changes in the woman's hormones after delivery cause the postpartum blues.

 Postpartum blues syndrome was repeated again when I gave birth to my second child. Compared to the first, it  was mild.  My reason for crying this time was pity for my eldest son.  Thank God  the postpartum blues this time end  shortly. Before, I thought postpartum blues is like postpartum depression. 

The postpartum depression

Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swings
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.

The severe type of postpartum is the postpartum psychosis.  The sad news of mothers hurting their babies said to have this kind of illness, postpartum psychosis.

The postpartum psychosis

With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include:

• Confusion and disorientation
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia
• Attempts to harm yourself or your baby

When I gave birth to my third and youngest child (Mathia), I never imagined that I will go through a difficult situation.  Few days after I gave birth,  I felt so dizzy and had a severe headache. There was a circle-like in my vision and so discomfort. When my baby had her first check up, my OB noticed that my face was swollen same with my legs and feet. My blood pressure was 170/110! My OB referred me to another doctor (cardio) and gave me medicine for hypertension.  I thought after I took the medicine for hypertension my blood pressure will be normal, but I was wrong!  I monitored my blood pressure every day and it did not change. I consulted my OB and a cardiologist, they notified me that I need to be confined in the hospital.  Initial findings of the doctor, hypertensive due to pregnancy. They called it, postpartum preeclampsia.  

Postpartum preeclampsia

Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that occurs when a woman has high blood pressure and excess protein in her urine soon after childbirth.

 Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. However, postpartum preeclampsia sometimes develops up to four to six weeks after childbirth. This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia.

 Postpartum preeclampsia requires prompt treatment. Left untreated, postpartum preeclampsia can result in seizures and other serious complications.

Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who experience postpartum preeclampsia show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Also, you might not suspect that anything is wrong when you're focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia — which are typically similar to those of preeclampsia that occurs during pregnancy — might include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater
• Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria)
• Severe headaches
• Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased urination
• Sudden weight gain, typically more than 2 pounds (0.9 kilogram) a week

 While confined in the hospital, it was indescribable loneliness. I'm missing my kids so much.  I want to hug and kiss my baby girl. My breast was swollen because of breast milk so sad I had to excrete it while my baby needs it! When I got home from the hospital, I had to take maintenance for high blood.   For three months after I gave birth, I am always  in the hospital (out patient) for check ups because my blood pressure was like roller coaster which goes up and down. I had to go through also overcoming postpartum depression.  Depression became severe because of anxiety over my health status. I was so irritable and feeling bored to the point that I insisted my husband to look for another place for us.

There's saying in tagalog: "Pag nanganak ang isang babae ang isang paa nasa hukay." Based on my experience, I believe it is true. Going back to postpartum.  How I overcame this? The support of the people around me especially my husband was an important contributing factor why I survived from these post pregnancy dilemmas. I am blessed to have a husband who's very supportive and hands-on with our children. He did a  lot of things to make me comfortable and calm during these hard times.   I am also grateful to God that He restored my mother's health and my mother's presence and help makes me feel at peace. Prayers from friends and church mates did help. I also realized that I need to fight to win for my little kids.   All in all, God is there.  His promises from the Bible gave me the assurance of victory if I just let Him do His part. I did.  God be praised!

I asked some mothers if they experienced problems (postpartum) after they gave birth, some said they did not or maybe they simply don't know what it is.   I don't know if the age of a mother is contributing factor for postpartum, if the youngest or older moms has  more chances to experience postpartum? I really don't know.  What I knew is that even celebrities admitted they experience postpartum.  Celebrities like Brooke Shields,Gwyneth Paltrow, Amanda Peet and many others. 
May this blog will be of good help and be a source of small infos for mothers like me.  

For the singles who's dreaming to be a mom someday, don't be afraid.  To be a mom is the best experience that God has given to us women.  God bless us moms!!! :-)

with my three gifts :-)

source: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/the-postpartum-blues.aspx
             http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546/DSECTION=symptoms
             http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-preeclampsia/DS01199