The reported prevalence of postpartum depression in China ranges from 3.5% to 63.3%, with an average of 14.7%, and about half or more of the first episodes will recur in the next 5 years. And the risk of recurrence increases as the number of recurrences increases.
Postpartum depression is not an independent disease, but a depression that occurs specifically during this special period of time after a woman has given birth. With the rapid withdrawal of postpartum hormones, 50%~80% of mothers will have unstable mood, insomnia, irritability, poor concentration and other bad conditions after delivery, mostly relieved in 2 weeks after delivery, if mothers cannot regulate this bad mood timely and effectively, it will have serious harm to mother and child.
1, the harm to the mother: maternal bad mood is not conducive to the recovery of maternal energy and physical strength, leading to the chronicity of the disease or the deterioration of postpartum complications; a few women can appear self-injury, or even suicidal behavior.
2, the harm to the child: maternal direct will cause organic harm to the child, we have also heard many postpartum mothers drop their children to death news reports; mother’s emotions can also lead to the child’s intellectual, emotional and personality development, increasing the occurrence of youth violence.
3, affect the stability of the family and society: the current high incidence of mental illness requires attention to the prevention of postpartum depression.
For the relatives of the mother, they should pay attention to care for the mother and intervene in time if they find any hint of postpartum depression, and if necessary, they can seek help from doctors.