Postpartum depression (PPD) impacts at least 1 in every 8 postpartum mothers, if not more. (http://womenshealth.gov) In addition, probably about 75% of women experience a shorter term condition called baby blues or postpartum blues. These numbers are probably under-reported as most percentages with mental health conditions are. This is not a matter of will power. Some people are genetically more prone to postpartum depression. Some people have other mental health conditions that impact them outside of pregnancy and postpartum that make them more likely to have PPD. And of course many of the factors that effect moms in the postpartum contribute as well, such as lack of sleep, insufficient nutrition, and even a loss of identity. PPD is not you just not enjoying your motherhood or your child enough.
Some of the treatment modalities used include SSRIs and other anti-depressant medications and individual or group therapy. Every treatment option has its time and place, but many women find that pharmacological options are not for them at this time. Many of the medications have significant side effects, take awhile to have an impact, and/or may not be ideal to take while breastfeeding.
Certainly therapy helps a lot of people and is great in many situations. Again, depending on what the triggers for PPD are, this may not be the only solutions or even the primary solution. And it to takes time to identify whether you are needing the support of group therapy or have specific depression and anxiety concerns to address one on one with a therapist.
Another treatment modality that is not always highlighted by providers in the PPD discussion is that of exercise, both cardio and strength training. I know during both of my postpartum periods, my OB never mentioned the value of exercise, just that I was “cleared to return to exercise”. Scientifically, it makes sense. Exercise improves mental health and wellbeing whether postpartum or not. The release of endorphins that impacts our mood on a molecular level is one reason why. Being able to do something for ourselves is another reason why. And moving our bodies as they were intended to be moved is another reason why. .
There is a shocking lack of research on when and how to incorporate exercise into your postpartum routine, but we can teach women how to know their own bodily limits and progress through exercise safely. The research does show that postpartum exercise has a significant impact on depressive symptoms (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8698776/). As a medical community and community as a whole, we need to do a better job at helping women understand how to safely return to or start exercise in a progressive manner. Starting with simply walking, stretching, breathe work and then progressing to calisthenics, strength training, and higher intensity cardio. Women’s health is so sorely lacking in actual research and education and we need to do better.