The experience of being a new mom for the first time is amazing for every woman. The birth of the baby for any mom-to-be brings a mix of emotions, happiness, joy, and excitement. One such emotion that can be overwhelming at times is low mood, sadness, and depression post-birth of the child. This is considered as “baby blues” and clinically termed as “postpartum depression”.
Let us not forget that the postpartum stage is very important in every mother’s life as it allows the new mom to connect with the baby through breastfeeding and tender love care (TLC). In this case, it is important for the mother to stay happy and experience good mood vibes while connecting with the newborn. Homeopathic medicines help deal with the postpartum blues by tackling the mental and physical symptoms.
Role of homeopathy in postpartum depression
Safety for the newborn baby and new mom is the most important during the postpartum phase. Treating postpartum depression with homeopathy helps manage the symptoms in a safe, gentle, and effective manner. Homeopathy works holistically for new mothers allowing them to recover from low mood post-pregnancy naturally without any side-effects.
Five effective homeopathic medicines for postpartum depression
Natrum muriaticum
Common name: Sodium Chloride Granule
Natrum mur. is indicated in women who are lean, thin, thirsty, undernourished, and reserved in nature. The new mother has great weakness and tiredness with exhaustion. These patients are more likely to have mood swings with alternating joy and sadness. They are apprehensive, revengeful, hate sympathy, with weeping tendencies. Natrum mur. is indicated in people who are highly irritable and like solitude with no desire to speak.
Sepia officinalis
Common name: Cuttlefish
Sepia is suited in cases of low mood and depression post-pregnancy. It is prescribed to new mothers who are pot-bellied with extreme grief. The patient is prone to postpartum depression complications with psychosis, severe insomnia, palpitation anxiety followed by weakness, extreme prostration, empty and sinking feeling in the stomach. She has a suicidal tendency with an aversion to empathy. The women are mainly mentally exhausted with household chores and extreme irritability.
Kalium carbonicum
Common name: Potash, carbonate of potassium
Kali. carb. is indicated for postpartum depression with low mood and spirits. These patients have tremendous anxiety with weak memory. They are easily forgetful, restless, irritable, and tired. They have a fear of being alone and a fear of ghosts. They tend to lose their mind easily on petty things.
Aurum metallicum
Common name: Metallic Gold
Aurum met. is recommended for low mood post childbirth. They have a sense of being dutiful and responsible. These patients are workaholics with a great sense of duty and professionalism. This is especially suited to people who are reserved and have great anxiety about the future.
Arsenicum album
Common name: Arsenic Trioxide
Arsenicum album is suited to people who are perfectionists in nature and who tend to overthink. The person has an extreme fear of death with complaints aggravated at 3 am with an intense flow of thoughts. Night aggravation with anxiousness is commonly seen in post-partum depressive patients.
Causative factors of postpartum depression
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Strong genetic history of depression
- High-stress levels while managing newborn
- Challenging situations in case of an extremely crying baby
- Premature birth
- Medical complications during pregnancy
- First-time motherhood
- Life stressors like the death of a loved one or financial problems
- Isolation and lack of support
Symptoms of postpartum depression
Acute symptoms of postpartum depression
This consists of mild to moderate baby blues symptoms. This phase mainly lasts from a few days to a maximum of 2 weeks after childbirth. These symptoms include:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety and palpitations
- Low mood
- Crying spells
- Outbursts of anger
- Reduced focus and concentration levels
- Increased appetite or reduced appetite alternating with hunger pangs
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Irritability on petty things
- Getting emotional and overwhelmed
Chronic phase of postpartum depression
The chronic phase of postpartum depression lasts for more than 6 months and is more intense or severe as compared to mild baby blue symptoms. This interferes with daily activities and impacts the overall quality of life of the mother. Moreover, during the postpartum phase, being a mother is a new chapter for every mother. In such cases, it is important to be relaxed and in the best mood to be ready to take over responsibilities and embrace motherhood with pride. The symptoms in the chronic phase of postpartum depression include:
- Depressed mood with sadness
- Extensive crying for no reason
- Social withdrawal from family and friends
- Loss of appetite and unable to eat
- Insomnia or hypersomnolence
- Lack of energy with fatigue
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Feeling mentally tired and exhausted
- Hopelessness
- Inability to make decisions
- Intense anger
- Feeling worthlessness
- Extreme restlessness
- Panic attacks with severe palpitations
- Suicidal thoughts
Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is the last stage of postpartum depression. It is a difficult condition to deal with and the symptoms are very severe. The symptoms of postpartum psychosis may vary in severity. These include:
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- Feeling lost or confused
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Getting paranoid
- Attempting to harm your baby or yourself
- Affecting relationship with another parent
- Weird behavior
- Overactivity of mind
Treatment for postpartum depression
Psychotherapy
Mental health counseling is a must to deal with postpartum depression effectively. It is important to reach out and talk with your family members to manage postpartum depression in the right way. Seek professional help to tackle your postpartum blues.
Conventional treatment with antidepressants
In cases of severe postpartum depression, antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor. It is important to check with your doctor about the intake of antidepressants in case of breast-feeding during the postpartum phase. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are prescribed to deal with postpartum depression.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
CBT is advised to cope with the postpartum blues in new mothers to embrace motherhood successfully.
Lifestyle modifications for postpartum depression
- Emotional bonding through skin-to-skin contact, smile, baby massage, or simply singing for the child.
- Ensure to take care of yourself through a healthy diet and adequate hydration.
- Take a nap whenever possible.
- Pamper yourself and the baby.
- Step out in the garden and take a walk or stroll.
- Meditate with yoga.
- Try out simple stretching exercises.
- Listen to music.
- Walking can work wonders to deal with postpartum depression.
- Build a social network and interact with people.
- Read parenting books to get more information and clarity.
- Ensure you follow-up regularly with your doctor.
- Join some parenting groups and emotional support groups.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is a very stressful situation after childbirth. It is important to rectify this immediately before it gets too late and complicated to enjoy motherhood at its best. Reach out to your homeopathic doctor for postpartum depression who can help treat your symptoms and prevent future complications. Homeopathy for postpartum depression can work as a supportive therapy along with some counseling sessions for better health of the child and mother.
References
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- Aurum metallicum: The homeopathic remedy made from gold [Internet]. Org.au. [cited 2024 Mar 9]. Available from: https://aurumproject.org.au/gold-remedy-aurum/
- Viksveen P, Fibert P, Relton C. Homeopathy in the treatment of depression: a systematic review. Eur J Integr Med [Internet]. 2018;22:22–36. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2018.07.004