Postpartum depression or anxiety affects 1 in 5 women. What are the causes and what can help?

Kylie Jenner revealed to the world earlier this year that she has experienced postpartum depression after both of her pregnancies. Something that affects up to 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads.

Almost 100,000 Australian parents are affected by perinatal depression (PND) and anxiety (PPA) each year however there is still so much stigma around it and not much being done.

Bounty Parents chats to renowned paediatrician, Dr Harvey Karp about the postpartum anxiety and depression crisis affecting so many new parents around the world.

Postpartum depression or anxiety affects 1 in 5 women and about 1 in 20 dads. What are the causes of PND and PPA?

There are a few factors that may lead to these changes. It’s possible that the rapid drop in progesterone that happens after delivery is a trigger, but that’s not the whole story. After all, dads and adopting parents can suffer postnatal depression and/or anxiety, too.

It turns out that, among other things, research shows that exhaustion, lots of baby crying, and feeling unsupported are big triggers of perinatal mood disorders.

What are the triggers for parents and what preventative measures can be put in place?

While there are some triggers parents don’t have a lot of control over (such as poverty, racial bias, and pre existing issues), parents may have some control over a few of the biggest triggers, like persistent crying, exhaustion, and lack of support.

This is where imitating a baby’s womb experience (the so-called fourth trimester) can be hugely helpful! I’ve found the best way to do this is with the 5 S’s (swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking, and holding your baby in the side/stomach position).

Plus, as parents become more skilled at calming crying, they grow more confident and engaged. (As described in my book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, for crying babies, the 5 S’s work because they trigger a baby’s calming reflex, which is like their internal “off switch” for crying and “on switch” for sleep.)

It’s also important for new parents to ask and accept help wherever they can. Remember, for generations new mums had big extended families pitching in. Say “yes” to offers to hold the baby or run errands. If it’s doable for your family, consider hiring a nanny, using a cleaning service…or buying a SNOO for an extra pair of hands. SNOO uses three of the 5 S’s to soothe babies in the same way an expert caregiver would, adding an hour of sleep each night on average!

Celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Chrissy Teigen have opened up about their experience with postpartum depression. How helpful is it for other women to hear these stories and not feel so alone?

The more folks who share their mental health struggles, the more we squash shame and stigma. Shame and stigma are so dangerous because they keep new parents from asking for help. In fact, research shows that stigma and fear of judgment are the biggest barrier to mums getting the mental healthcare they need.

Almost 100,000 Australian parents are affected by perinatal depression (PND) and anxiety (PPA) each year however there is still so much stigma around it. Why is there still a stigma attached and what else can be done?

Many new mums look at parenthood through a filtered lens that leads them to believe that motherhood is supposed to be easy, natural, and all joy. Then, if their experience is hard, exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming, then shame—or a sense of incompetence, isolation, and lack of self-worth—can creep in.

That’s why it’s so important that we share the realities of new parenthood and talk openly about maternal mental health struggles. It’s just as important that everyone pays attention to a mother’s mental health, so we can recognise their struggles and offer support.

What is the impact of PND and PPA on individuals, partners, and family?

Maternal mental health issues create a ripple effect, impacting everyone close to Mum and Bub. Depressed mums can get caught in a cycle where they get sadder and angrier, feeling less and less competent. Their mental health struggles can become chronic, strain family relationships, hamper their ability to bond with baby and create healthy attachments, and hinder breastfeeding success.

When a new mum is depressed, their partner’s risk of depression may also increase. For children, PND and PPA may negatively affect brain development, making them more likely to cry excessively, experience emotional and behavioural problems, have language delays, and develop depression down the road.

What is the impact of PND and PPA financially and how does it impact the economy?

Between healthcare costs, lost workdays and productivity, and continued health issues, like future depression, failing to screen and treat PND and PPA isn’t just a health crisis—it’s an economic one too!

It’s estimated that perinatal depression and anxiety cost Australia $877 million annually.