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In 2022, about six to 20 percent of women reported to have experienced postpartum depression or PPD. It is a medical condition that mothers experience after giving birth. 

Its symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, irregular sleeping and eating habits, feelings of shame and worthlessness, losing interest in hobbies, detachment from family and friends, and thoughts of hurting themselves or their newborn child. 

(Photo : Ömürden Cengiz / Unsplash)

Lowering the Risk of Postpartum Depression

While it is normal, it is not an easy thing to go through. Naturally, a parent-to-be would want to know if there are ways to avoid PPD. Unfortunately, there are no proven ways to do so.

Postpartum progress creator and PPD prevention educator Katherine Stone explained that this is due to the fact that every woman's body may react to childbirth differently. There is no sure way to avoid it completely. However, there are a few ways to lower the risk.

1. Educate you, your partner, and your support system.

The first thing to do as a mother-to-be is educate yourself, your partner, and your support system. That means understanding what postpartum depression is and what signs to look for. 

You and your partner can do this together so that you both know what to expect and what to do when it happens. Having a support system like your family and friends who can help you through the process is also helpful.

2. Maintain your hobbies and interests.

Another way to lower the risk of PPD is to think about the things that interest you most, even before having a child, and keep doing them. 

A lot of mothers feel like they lose themselves after giving birth because they need to prioritize their child's needs and forget about their own.

3. Nourish your body.

Next is to ensure your body gets the nourishment it needs. Focus on a healthy diet, exercise or be physically active, and go outside to boost your mood.