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Article: Preventing postpartum depression: support, information and empowerment for new mothers.(Postpartum)
- Article from:
- Special Delivery
- Article date:
- June 22, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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For many women, the transition to motherhood is less than smooth. Instead of basking in the "glow" of new motherhood, new mothers may feel anxious and depressed. They may be suffering from postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is characterized by a variety of symptoms including despair, hopelessness, helplessness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in the baby, anxiety, or suicidal ideation. It is estimated to occur in approximately 10-20% of new mothers, and is a more serious condition than the "baby blues." Postpartum depression is often insidious in its onset and symptoms can develop any time within the first year postpartum. Unabated, postpartum ...