Childbirth and pregnancy are complex and exhausting processes for the mother’s body. During pregnancy, a woman goes through many hormonal, physical, emotional and psychological changes. Significant changes are taking place in the family and interpersonal worlds. After giving birth, the mother may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from joy and pleasure to sadness and bouts of crying. This emotional imbalance, called the “baby blues,” usually begins to subside within the first 2 weeks after birth. It has been found that around one in seven women develop postpartum depression. While patients with baby blues recover quickly, postpartum depression is more prolonged and severely affects mothers’ ability to return to everyday life. Postpartum depression has a negative impact on the health of the mother and her relationship with the baby. What are the risk factors? Psychological – history of depression and anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, negative attitude towards the baby and its gender, as well as history of sexual violence; Obstetric risk factors – high-risk pregnancy that includes emergency caesarean section and hospitalization during pregnancy. The passage of meconium, prolapse of the umbilical cord, premature birth, low fetal weight at birth and low hemoglobin levels of the mother; Social factors – lack of social support can be a cause of postpartum depression. Domestic violence in the form of sexual, physical and verbal abuse by the husband can also be a risk factor for the development of the disease; Smoking during pregnancy; Lifestyle – eating habits, sleep patterns, physical activity and exercise can affect the risk of developing postpartum depression. Vitamin B6 is known to play a role in the genesis of the condition due to its conversion to tryptophan and later to serotonin, which, in turn, affects mood. The sleep cycle is among the factors influencing the risk of depression. Insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk of developing postpartum depression. Physical activity and exercise reduce depressive episodes. They affect self-esteem and emotional balance. Exercise increases levels of endogenous endorphins and opioids, which has a positive effect on mental health. It also improves self-esteem, increases problem-solving ability and helps in effective participation in daily activities. Postpartum depression most often occurs within 6 weeks of giving birth. This condition occurs in about 6.5% to 20% of postpartum patients. The pathogenesis of postpartum depression is still not fully understood. Genetic factors, hormonal, psychological and social stressors are thought to play a key role. The role of sex hormones in depressive behavior suggests a neuroendocrine genesis of postpartum depression.Changes in the levels of sex hormones hormones favor the dysregulation of emotional balance in predisposed women. It is known that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is involved in the pathogenetic processes of postpartum depression. This axis is important for the release of cortisol under stress, and if its function is impaired, then the natural response to stressful situations is also impaired. Hormones released in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis increase during pregnancy and remain elevated until 12 weeks postpartum. Rapid changes in sex hormone levels, such as estradiol and progesterone, after childbirth can be a potential stressor in some patients, and these changes can lead to the onset of depressive symptoms. Oxytocin and prolactin also have an important role in the pathogenesis of postpartum depression. These hormones regulate the reflex for secretion and synthesis of breast milk. The inability to breastfeed and the onset of postpartum depression have been found to occur at the same time. Low levels of oxytocin are observed in patients with postpartum depression and those requiring early cessation of breastfeeding. During the third trimester of pregnancy, lower oxytocin levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when at least five depressive symptoms are present for at least 2 weeks. Postpartum depression is defined as a major depressive episode that begins with the onset of pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery. Other manifestations that are characteristic of the condition are: Depressed mood, which is observed during most of the day; Loss of interest or pleasure in performing various activities; Insomnia or vice versa – excessive sleepiness; Psychomotor retardation or agitation; Feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem and guilt; Low energy levels or fatigue; Suicidal thoughts; Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; Change in weight or appetite. These symptoms can lead to significant distress. Postpartum depression can lead to negative consequences for the relationship between mother and baby, refusal to breastfeed, negative parenting practices, marital discord, as well as more severe consequences regarding the physical and psychological development of the child. Remission of symptoms reduces the risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in the offspring. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9711915/which are released in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis increase during pregnancy and remain elevated until 12 weeks postpartum. Rapid changes in sex hormone levels, such as estradiol and progesterone, after childbirth can be a potential stressor in some patients, and these changes can lead to the onset of depressive symptoms. Oxytocin and prolactin also have an important role in the pathogenesis of postpartum depression. These hormones regulate the reflex for secretion and synthesis of breast milk. The inability to breastfeed and the onset of postpartum depression have been found to occur at the same time. Low levels of oxytocin are observed in patients with postpartum depression and those requiring early cessation of breastfeeding. During the third trimester of pregnancy, lower oxytocin levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when at least five depressive symptoms are present for at least 2 weeks. Postpartum depression is defined as a major depressive episode that begins with the onset of pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery. Other manifestations that are characteristic of the condition are: Depressed mood, which is observed during most of the day; Loss of interest or pleasure in performing various activities; Insomnia or vice versa – excessive sleepiness; Psychomotor retardation or agitation; Feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem and guilt; Low energy levels or fatigue; Suicidal thoughts; Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; Change in weight or appetite. These symptoms can cause significant distress. Postpartum depression can lead to negative consequences for the relationship between mother and baby, refusal to breastfeed, negative parenting practices, marital discord, as well as more severe consequences in terms of the physical and psychological development of the child. Remission of symptoms reduces the risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in the offspring. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9711915/which are released in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis increase during pregnancy and remain elevated until 12 weeks postpartum. Rapid changes in sex hormone levels, such as estradiol and progesterone, after childbirth can be a potential stressor in some patients, and these changes can lead to the onset of depressive symptoms. Oxytocin and prolactin also have an important role in the pathogenesis of postpartum depression. These hormones regulate the reflex for secretion and synthesis of breast milk. The inability to breastfeed and the onset of postpartum depression have been found to occur at the same time. Low levels of oxytocin are observed in patients with postpartum depression and those requiring early cessation of breastfeeding. During the third trimester of pregnancy, lower oxytocin levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when at least five depressive symptoms are present for at least 2 weeks. Postpartum depression is defined as a major depressive episode that begins with the onset of pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery. Other manifestations that are characteristic of the condition are: Depressed mood, which is observed during most of the day; Loss of interest or pleasure in performing various activities; Insomnia or vice versa – excessive sleepiness; Psychomotor retardation or agitation; Feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem and guilt; Low energy levels or fatigue; Suicidal thoughts; Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; Change in weight or appetite. These symptoms can lead to significant distress. Postpartum depression can lead to negative consequences for the relationship between mother and baby, refusal to breastfeed, negative parenting practices, marital discord, as well as more severe consequences regarding the physical and psychological development of the child. Remission of symptoms reduces the risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in the offspring. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9711915/in which early cessation of breastfeeding is necessary. During the third trimester of pregnancy, lower oxytocin levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when at least five depressive symptoms are present for at least 2 weeks. Postpartum depression is defined as a major depressive episode that begins with the onset of pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery. Other manifestations that are characteristic of the condition are: Depressed mood, which is observed during most of the day; Loss of interest or pleasure in performing various activities; Insomnia or vice versa – excessive sleepiness; Psychomotor retardation or agitation; Feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem and guilt; Low energy levels or fatigue; Suicidal thoughts; Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; Change in weight or appetite. These symptoms can lead to significant distress. Postpartum depression can lead to negative consequences for the relationship between mother and baby, refusal to breastfeed, negative parenting practices, marital discord, as well as more severe consequences regarding the physical and psychological development of the child. Remission of symptoms reduces the risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in the offspring. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9711915/in which early cessation of breastfeeding is required. During the third trimester of pregnancy, lower oxytocin levels are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when at least five depressive symptoms are present for at least 2 weeks. Postpartum depression is defined as a major depressive episode that begins with the onset of pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery. Other manifestations that are characteristic of the condition are: Depressed mood, which is observed during most of the day; Loss of interest or pleasure in performing various activities; Insomnia or vice versa – excessive sleepiness; Psychomotor retardation or agitation; Feelings of worthlessness, lack of self-esteem and guilt; Low energy levels or fatigue; Suicidal thoughts; Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; Change in weight or appetite. These symptoms can cause significant distress. Postpartum depression can lead to negative consequences for the relationship between mother and baby, refusal to breastfeed, negative parenting practices, marital discord, as well as more severe consequences regarding the physical and psychological development of the child. Remission of symptoms reduces the risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in the offspring. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9711915/