How the birth of a child affects the psyche

Having a baby is happiness, older relatives tell you. That's right, but only with side effects. Together with gynecologist Victoria Evseeva and the founder of the School for Dads and Moms and psychologist Marina Lantsburg, we figured out what a woman can expect after childbirth and how to prepare for it.

Where do postpartum disorders come from?

Marina Lantsburg, psychologist, founder of the School for Dads and Moms:
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Colossal physiological changes in the body, a new rhythm of life, hormonal changes - all this breaks into a woman’s life almost suddenly after childbirth, affecting her psychological health and comfort.

The main reason for the occurrence of such disorders is the mismatch of expectations of reality. For example, my mother expected that she would give birth in a natural way, and she had a cesarean. Or, for example, a mother was wound up during pregnancy that it was necessary to breastfeed her baby, and she had difficulties with this.

Like, if you do not feed, then you are not a mother, but viper. This can also lead to depression.

In general, the less expectations parents have, the better. Of course, a mother, as a rule, expects a healthy child of a certain gender. Or he may want a son or daughter, like a beloved husband and unlike an unloved mother-in-law. When a person is born who does not correspond to this fantasy image, she experiences a state of loss and disappointment. Not to mention the cases when a sick child is born.

The reason may be that the woman was waiting for one behavior from the family, and they behave differently. For example, a woman gave birth not because she herself really wanted a baby, but because her mother and husband asked. And then it turns out that those who asked are not very ready to help and care for the newborn. This can also be a disappointment.
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Often there is a discrepancy between what feelings a woman expected from herself and those feelings that she experienced after the birth of a child: when a mother sees a newborn, but she does not have a feeling of love, although she counted on the fact that she, unlike from other mothers, will love him and will not abuse him.

Victoria Evseeva, gynecologist:

The hormonal background stabilizes in the first two to three months after childbirth. This period is the most difficult. It is impossible to predict how it will affect a woman’s condition, but you can try to minimize the negative consequences. The hormones that regulate the work of the ovaries (LH, FSH), as well as testosterone and estrogens themselves, are low during the first two to three weeks after delivery, they will return to normal only within 12 weeks.

At the same time, in women with lactation, they can remain at a low level (due to high prolactin - the hormone responsible for the production of milk). Low testosterone and estrogen levels can cause decreased libido, increased sweating (and even hot flashes).

Baby blues, postpartum depression and psychosis: what is the difference between them

Marina Lantsburg, psychologist, founder of the School for Dads and Moms:
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Maternal blues, or baby blues, usually occurs during the first week, lasts several days, a bit like a disorder in the first trimester of pregnancy: irritability, lachrymation.

This may be due, on the one hand, to hormonal restructuring, or maybe due to the fact that something went wrong during childbirth as the woman wanted. Baby blues goes by itself.

Read also:

“Where are your children?”: For which society and social networks shame mothers
There are symptoms of depressive disorders, they occur in many, occur in a third of all women. Postpartum depression is more likely to occur in those who are prone to bipolar disorder.
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There is clinical depression, it is less common - in about 20%. There are also psychoses. Prevention and lack of expectations are very important here: when preparing you can not tune in to an ideal birth plan.

Victoria Evseeva, gynecologist:

There are studies that show that the occurrence of postpartum depression and psychosis may be associated with decreased levels of progesterone and estrogen after childbirth. It can also be affected by levels of other hormones, such as thyroid hormone, cortisol, melatonin and oxytocin. There are other factors that can trigger or increase the risk of these mental disorders.

Fatigue and drowsiness are present in 90% of women during this period. Childbirth itself is a fairly energy-intensive process: a woman loses up to five thousand kcal

Sleepless nights and emotional stress also contribute to well-being. There are also physiological features (disruption of the intestines, dryness in the vagina, hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin). This can cause psychological discomfort.

But not all conditions are explained by a change in the hormonal background.