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Experts refer to the period after a woman gives birth as the postpartum period. This can last for several months, and many women experience different problems and side effects during this phase. These side effects can include anxious thoughts, depression and insomnia.
What is Postpartum Insomnia?You might hear the word insomnia tossed about on a regular basis. Insomnia is a medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible for a person to fall asleep. Those who fall asleep but wake up throughout the night also suffer from insomnia. Some people claim that they have insomnia because they cannot get to sleep one night. A person can only receive a diagnosis of insomnia if that person has trouble sleeping for several weeks or months. Postpartum insomnia occurs after a woman has a baby, and some women suffer from postpartum insomnia for a period of several months.
Causes of InsomniaThere are several potential causes of postpartum insomnia in women. One of the main causes is the change in hormones that the woman suffers from after the birth of her child. This increase in hormones makes it difficult for the woman to fall asleep at night, and she might have problems staying asleep. Another potential cause of the insomnia relates to the lack of sleep that a new mother gets every night. She must adjust to the baby's sleep schedule, which means that she gets less sleep every night. Some women also suffer from something referred to as "phantom cries." This occurs when a woman cannot fall asleep because she thinks she hears the baby crying. Women who suffer from this condition typically do so because they do not get enough sleep. The sleep deprivation causes the woman to hear and see mild hallucinations.
Treatment OptionsWomen who suffer from postpartum insomnia typically see a reduction in symptoms within a few months. Some women might find it helpful to discuss the situation with a doctor because the doctor might recommend sleeping pills. Therapy is another potential treatment option, especially in women who experience anxiety or depression along with the insomnia. Therapy can help the woman sleep better because she reduces the anxious and depressed thoughts that keep her from sleeping at night.
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Which are the typical postpartum depression symptoms?
Postpartum depression is sometimes called the baby blues. Typical postpartum depression symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, irritability and mood swings.
Treating Postpartum Insomnia?
After childbirth, a woman's body goes through many physical and hormonal changes. These changes come with many unpleasant side effects, including postpartum insomnia. Symptoms of postpartum insomnia include an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, night sweats, racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat and strange dreams or nightmares. Postpartum insomnia can last for several months after childbirth, and affects as many as fifteen percent of all new mothers.Causes and Effects of Postpartum InsomniaMany factors can contribute to the onset of postpartum insomnia. The most likely cause is the hormonal changes women experience after childbirth. During pregnancy, estrogen and other hormone levels increase tremendously, then bottom out after delivery. These hormonal fluctuations often cause symptoms that can interfere with sleep, including anxiety, depression and hot flashes.Postpartum insomnia can have many effects on a woman's physical, emotional and psychological well being. In addition to the normal stress associated with motherhood, women with postpartum insomnia experience even more anxiety, exhaustion and irritability. These symptoms can affect every aspect of life, and can interfere with the ability to care for a newborn.Treatment for Postpartum InsomniaMany women assume that insomnia after childbirth is a normal part of motherhood, and are therefore reluctant to seek treatment; however, postpartum insomnia is a real medical condition, and should be treated as such. And although postpartum insomnia usually goes away in time, seeking treatment as soon as symptoms present themselves is recommended. If left untreated, postpartum insomnia can lead to more serious conditions, including depression, panic and anxiety disorder, and health complications such as high blood pressure.Many women opt for herbal and home remedies, while others seek medical advice from a doctor or other trained professional. Herbal remedies include chamomile tea, lavender oil and valerian root. Medical treatment for postpartum insomnia can involve the use of several treatment methods, including prescription sleep aids and hormone therapy.Tips for Dealing with Postpartum InsomniaIn addition to herbal and medical treatments, there are several methods that can help in dealing with postpartum insomnia. These include warm baths at bedtime, avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, avoiding alcohol, a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Solving Postpartum Insomnia?
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects 10-15% of women following childbirth. Postpartum insomnia is highly associated with postpartum depression. The relationship between postpartum depression and postpartum insomnia follows a tangled cause and effect pathway. Depression after childbirth may cause sleep problems, or sleep problems may contribute to depressive symptoms. However, both postpartum depression and postpartum insomnia are most likely triggered by erratic hormone levels as the body returns to a non-pregnant state following childbirth. During pregnancy, levels of both estrogen and progesterone rise steadily and peak in the third trimester. After childbirth, these hormones fall dramatically. It is this dramatic decrease of hormones that can contribute to symptoms of postpartum psychosis. A similar, but smaller-scale, fall of hormones occurs in the luteal phase of a woman's cycle. During the one or two weeks before a woman's period starts, this fall of hormones can also contribute to sleep problems. A woman experiencing postpartum insomnia may have a difficult time falling asleep. She may also wake up frequently or experience night sweats severe enough to leave her sleep-clothing wet. Anxiety may contribute to trouble falling asleep, and lack of sleep will certainly increase anxiety in the effected woman, so she may feel caught in a cycle that she can't escape. Life may feel out of control following childbirth. A new child, a new schedule, and lots of visitors can quickly overwhelm a new mom. Then when she can't even control how and when she sleeps, her anxiety can rise. One study published in the academic journal "Sleep" in 2010 shows that the perception of sleep is more strongly related to mood disturbances than the actual quality of the sleep itself. Mindfulness training may help by reframing thoughts about sleep and reducing the overall stress that a lack of sleep can cause. The woman who experiences sleep problems following childbirth should contact her doctor. Because insomnia is related to depression in new mothers, new mother can feel trapped in a situation that could in severe cases lead to dangerous or irrational thoughts. She needs the professional care of a doctor to help her solve her postpartum insomnia. Postpartum insomnia is a common complaint of new mothers. New mothers need not feel alone in their distress. A health care practitioner can provide psychological support and evaluate the woman experiencing postpartum insomnia to bring targeted relief to resolve her sleep symptoms.
What are the significance of the female breast in the postpartum period?
= "What are the significance of the female breast in the postpartum period?" =
What part of the word postpartum is the suffix?
The suffix in the word postpartum is "-partum."
What it the calorie count for postpartum women?
Someone who's going through postpartum depression shouldn't deal with dieting. Women should eat 2000 calories a day, postpartum or not. No difference there.
When can postpartum depression affect you?
Postpartum depression can affect mothers even a couple of years after the birth of their child.
What percentage of women does postpartum depression affect?
Postpartum depression affects approximately 15% of all childbearing women.
What are the release dates for Berman and Berman - 2002 Postpartum?
Berman and Berman - 2002 Postpartum was released on: USA: 2002
What kinds of postpartum depression are there?
Postpartum depression is often divided into two types: early onset and late onset.
What are the 2 types of postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is often divided into two types: early onset and late onset.
What stage is known as afterbirth?
postpartum
