{"id":39420,"date":"2024-06-08T09:08:36","date_gmt":"2024-06-08T09:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drlesliekorn.com\/?post_type=research-databases&p=39420"},"modified":"2025-02-25T09:15:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T09:15:27","slug":"postpartum-depression-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"research-databases","link":"https:\/\/drlesliekorn.com\/es\/research\/postpartum-depression-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Decrease Postpartum Blues and Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Newborn<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In this research review, I focus on postpartum blues, depression, and anxiety, common conditions that occur along a spectrum of experiences following the birth of a child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postpartum blues<\/strong> include symptoms of \u200b\u200bsad mood, crying spells, anxiety, restlessness, reduced appetite, and irritability. Postpartum depression<\/strong> extends into feelings of disconnection, challenges with bonding, overwhelming worry, doubt, fear, sorrow, rage, and worthlessness, and can lead to suicidality and, rarely, psychosis and homicidality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postpartum psychosis is the severest form characterized by extreme confusion, loss of touch with reality, paranoia, delusions, disorganized thought processes, and hallucinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Childhood trauma is a risk factor for postpartum depression, and trauma can also occur during birth to both mother and infant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drastic drop in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth contributes to mood changes, which are aggravated by sleep deprivation and lack of social support associated with caring for a newborn infant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue and worry are normal for new mothers. Still, postpartum blues can escalate to depression and anxiety within 6 weeks of birth and lead to feelings that interfere with interpersonal relationships and the mother\u2019s ability to care for her child. The \u201cBlues\u00bb tends to occur soon after birth and resolve quickly. Upwards of one in seven women experience postpartum depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I begin working with parents before pregnancy to optimize nutritional support and exercise and adjust dietary, nutrient, and herbal needs throughout the cycle to ensure biological and psychological resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring optimal nutritional and exercise status prior to and during pregnancy helps prevent postpartum blues. A history of premenstrual stress is a risk factor. Supplementing with Borage oil (1000 mg\/d), Vitamin B 6 (50-100mg\/day), and Magnesium glycinate (200 mg\/day), along with exercise, helps alleviate premenstrual stress (see my blog on premenstrual stress)<\/a>. These are safe doses during pregnancy as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is some evidence that a low level of vitamin D is a risk factor in postpartum depression, suggesting both sun exposure and supplemental vitamin D are important to optimize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One interesting study on postpartum blues, also called the baby blues, put together a compound protocol combining tryptophan (2 grams at night and tyrosine 10 grams\/ during the day, both antidepressant amino acids, and blueberry juice and extract to demonstrate effects.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postpartum Depression across countries and cultures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I often wonder about differences in disease categories around the world. Has postpartum blues been with us forever, or has it risen along with the Standard American Diet, sedentism, and lower rates of breastfeeding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, one large study found that countries that consumed more sugar-sweetened beverages had higher rates of postpartum depression, with higher seafood, fruits, and fibers associated with lower rates. Women who took probiotics during pregnancy had lower rates of postpartum depression. These findings should not surprise us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical exercise antepartum also reduces the risk of postpartum depression. One study this year described its benefits of decreased symptoms of postpartum depression and an increase in psychological well-being and quality of life. Breastfeeding appears to reduce postpartum depression and may be among the biggest biological modifiers by increasing oxytocin (the love hormone) and balancing our cortisol and hormone levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue is a risk factor for depression for two years postpartum, which suggests that having extended family and friends provide childcare and household relief is beneficial. The Mexican and South American practice of Cuarentena is a 40-day period during which women are fully attended to, so they only have to care for their infants and not perform other household duties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Postpartum blues (PPB) is a common condition marked by symptoms like sad mood, crying spells, anxiety, restlessness, reduced appetite, and irritability. Severe PPB is linked to a higher risk of postpartum depression. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":39425,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"inline_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"research-categories":[1529],"class_list":{"0":"post-39420","1":"research-databases","2":"type-research-databases","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"research-categories-mental-health","7":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Ways To Decrease Postpartum Blues and Depression | Dr. Leslie Korn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Postpartum depression is both preventable and treatable. 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