Psychological Changes in the Mother After Birth

Although pregnancy and puerperium seem to be a natural life event, it can be a major cause of stress for women. During this period, every woman experiences anxiety to a greater or lesser extent. Most mothers feel relief after birth as their concerns about their baby's and their own health disappear. Holding the baby and breastfeeding strengthens the mother-baby bond. Maternity blues (fears and concerns experienced during pregnancy and postpartum) can be seen as restlessness, irritability, emotional instability and tearfulness in 50-80% of women, especially those who have given birth for the first time. Among the most common symptoms is sleep disturbance. These complaints appear within the first 3-10 days after birth and usually disappear by the end of the 20th week. Postpartum depression occurs in 10-15% of women and is more severe than the motherhood blues. It is most common in the first three months after birth and may recur later. In addition to those seen during motherhood blues such as insomnia, fatigue, distraction, and crying spells, symptoms such as reluctance, appetite problems, excessive anxiety, boredom, lack of interest in the environment, excessive anxiety about the baby, or neglect may be observed. Placing the baby with the mother from birth and the support of medical personnel and family relatives reduces the mother's anxiety. The mother should be supported regarding baby care, she should be allowed to take care of her baby herself and should not be criticized. The majority of new mothers go through this period with very mild psychological symptoms. Very few people require medication or have psychological symptoms that require hospitalization.

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Motherhood Sadness

It occurs within 3-4 days after birth and disappears spontaneously within 10-15 days. During this period, feelings of frequent crying, restlessness, inability to concentrate, insomnia, sadness, and irritabilityis the experiencing of. There is no need for intervention. The solution is the positive approach of the people around. The mother should be given support to increase her sense of competence regarding the maternal role. The mother should not be alone, the labor should be shared with the mother, and the mother should be ensured to sleep, rest and be well nourished. Care should be taken not to be critical and accusatory. During this period, mothers should not panic and act calmly. Mothers should not be angry with themselves or think that they are inadequate.