Acupuncture for Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Love and excitement are often generated when a baby is born but so too are anxiety and fear. Chemical changes in the body can be experienced by the mother after birth that can lead to postpartum depression.

A lot of new mothers can pass through this emotional funk and it can involve negative emotions such as mild depression, mood swings and outbursts of anger. There are new mothers who may experience this phase longer than normal. Postpartum depression can last even many years after birth.

A lot of individuals often acknowledge their postpartum depression to be an indication of mental weakness or a flow in their character. These are all misconceptions as postpartum depression is the result, actually, of severe chemical and emotional changes that happen during or post childbirth. Postpartum depression women usually require medical attention even for a short while. The medical care will deal with the chemical imbalance in the brain due to childbirth.

In the treatment of postpartum depression, acupuncture can be a great way to resolve the symptoms that come with this disorder but before we talk about that, we need to determine the factors that can lead to the development of this condition.

Causes of Postpartum Depression

Genetics – there are women who may be genetically predisposed to suffer from postpartum depression. This predisposition is akin to the classical depression we see in a lot of individuals as they likewise suffer from a condition that is due to their genetic inheritance of it.

Emotional factors – coping with one’s emotions due to the changes in life can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and problems sleeping. During this time, you may experience happiness in having a newborn child. At the same time, you may also think that you are now less attractive, struggling with your identity, and may even feel that your life seems to be out of your control.

Physical changes- the hormones of a woman after childbirth are in constant flux and this makes it difficult for her body to cope with these changes. Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones in question. The woman’s thyroid gland may be unable to produce the same amount of hormones as it did before childbirth. This constant state of flux and inadequacy of hormones can leave the woman depressed, sluggish, and tired. Other physical changes the woman may experience include changes in metabolism, poor immune system reaction, lowered blood pressure, and a decrease in blood volume.

Lifestyle influences – postpartum depression can be caused by several lifestyle factors. They can include, for example, a baby that is demanding attention besides that of her other children or other people in her household, or she may be facing financial challenges that come with her baby’s birth, a lack of support from her spouse/partner or just coping with sheer exhaustion.

Acupuncture for Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

It is widely known that acupuncture is a very potent treatment for postpartum depression symptoms. The natural hormonal balance of the body can be restored in a relatively short amount of time through acupuncture therapy. A lot of the emotional symptoms have been observed to dissipate with some sessions of acupuncture. Some have even stated that acupuncture can even prevent the rise of postpartum depression.

If you experience postpartum depression, it does not imply you are a bad mom or a bad person. The one thing you need to do is get medical attention and so you need to consult with your obstetrician or family doctor to find out what your condition is really all about. It’s best to seek help immediately before your depression becomes unmanageable. If you are unable to provide care for your baby, or even feel angry at your baby, due to sadness or frustration, you can ask a relative or friend to watch over your child until you recover from your condition.

It’s important to look for medical attention if there is an emergency (which may involve a feeling of harming yourself and/or your baby). Acupuncture can help you a lot. It is a legitimate form of treatment for both depression and postpartum depression symptoms.

Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St # 101
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 715-1824
www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com