Postnatal depression is the type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. One in ten mothers develops post-natal depression or more severe and long-lasting depression after delivery. It's a common problem manifesting within the first year. It can also affect partners and fathers, it's not restricted to women. It's a common condition among newly-delivered women.

It can start anytime in the first year of giving birth. If your baby blues; feeling down and tearful after birth for the first two weeks, persists after then you could be having depression.

Signs of post-natal depression include;

Persistent feelings of sickness and low mood, low energy levels and fatigue, consistent hopelessness and lack of interest in anything, troubled sleeping and feeling sleepy during the day, poor self-care and baby care too, poor decision-making and concentration among others.

There is no specific cause for postnatal depression but a string of risk factors that may lead to post-natal depression include;

Biological factors Some women may be particularly vulnerable to a drop in hormones after giving birth. Levels of estrogen and progesterone, the reproductive female hormones increase tenfold during pregnancy and then drop sharply after delivery. Within three days, they drop to the initial amounts before pregnancy. These chemical modifications in the body may trigger depression.

Strained relationships Most women with strained relationships with their families especially partners are vulnerable to post-natal depression. The birth of a baby is a huge change in a family setting and may cause strains from financial to emotional. Existing relationships may be threatened. Lack of emotional and mental support from these close people to them may trigger postnatal depression.

High levels of stressEvents in life before, during, or after pregnancy can put a toll on the new mother's mental health. Bereavement, divorce, or job loss is too much stress to handle and may trigger postnatal depression. Stress may also manifest due to sleep-deprived patterns leading to chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and body pain.

History of mental health problems Depression in particular in earlier life and cause depression during or after pregnancy. Having no social support like friends and family is detrimental.

Preterm infant, health problems Complications with a baby are stressful to deal with. Vulnerable young ones and not being able to do anything is distressing. Medical complications during childbirth also can trigger postnatal depression in the mother.

How to cope with postnatal depression after the birth

• Ask for help and let others know your feelings and the challenges that you're going through. Let them know how they can help you.

• Be realistic about your anticipations and that of the baby. Getting your body back after delivery may take longer than you foresaw. Your child may also have intricacies and you should be open to acceptance.

• Keep healthy, eat a balanced diet, sleep and exercise. A healthy body and mind mean more strength and optimism to face the challenges that come daily.

• Keep your relationships healthy with your partners and family. Create time and energy for them too.

Treatment of post-natal depression

It might be a lonely and distressing, terrifying journey but they are very varied treatments and approaches to ease the symptoms.

• Self Self-help includes a couple of things you can do to improve your situation This might include bringing on board your family members about your feelings and what they can do to help. Creating personal time to attend to your needs and do things you enjoy and of course, resting and eating well.

• Therapy and psychological help are very important for your recovery. The doctors may instruct a daily routine for you and other therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.

• Medication like antidepressants can be recommended by your psychiatrist if your depression is severe and other approaches have not helped. Medication that you can take while breastfeeding.

Misconceptions surrounding postnatal depression

Is important to know the facts about this condition. Among misconceptions are;

1. It's baby-blues Emotional mood swings are okay for a few weeks but after two weeks, then the mother is likely depressed.

2. That they will go away on their own Every medical condition needs medical attention. You cannot just magically snap out of it. If your symptoms are worse and it becomes problematic to take care of yourself or your baby, then it's time to should seek help.

3. It only happens to women Studies found that up to 10% of new fathers get postpartum depression. Most often three to six months after the birth of the child.

4. You can prevent it. There's nothing, in particular, a father or a mother can do to stop getting postnatal depression. You can only minimize and combat risk factors ie if you have a history of post-natal depression your doctor can help you navigate and preclude its severity.

5. It shows that you are a bad parent It's a chemical imbalance in your brain and any parent has no control over it. You are not to blame. It's a medical condition, it's not a reflection of the ability to be a good parent.

6. You will know you are suffering Most people are very poor at self-diagnosing and you might not even realize you're suffering. The changes in your mood swings and behaviors may not be obvious to you but it is to others and they are the ones to help you seek treatment.

Postpartum depression among fathers

New research is finding that postpartum depression may affect up to one-quarter of dads yet it goes unnoticed. A recent review shows some men are more likely to develop postpartum depression.

Risk factors include a history of depression or anxiety, partners with mood disorders, lack of social support, age; older men are more likely to be affected and financial worries. Man suffers the same symptoms as women but they are more likely to suppress them than women.

They may also fall into depression later on after the partner has already experienced depression. Remember, it's not your fault that you are in the situation and that there is a wide range of support facilities available including talking to someone and taking medication. Even with all the support, one can have, having a baby is a life-changing event.

It takes a lot of adapting to become a new parent. Women are at risk of developing postpartum depression regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status.