Overcoming Postpartum Depression With Supportive Traditions

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Postpartum depression and anxiety are common conditions following the birth of a child. They are characterized by feelings of disconnection, challenges with bonding, overwhelming worry, doubt, fear, sorrow, rage, worthlessness, and even suicidality. The drastic drop in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth contributes to mood changes, which are aggravated by the sleep deprivation associated with caring for a newborn infant.

Fatigue and worry are normal for new mothers. Still, postpartum depression and anxiety are diagnosed when these feelings interfere with interpersonal relationships and the mother’s ability to care for her child.

There is some evidence that a low level of vitamin D antepartum is a risk factor in postpartum depression, suggesting both sun exposure and supplemental vitamin D are important. Physical exercise antepartum also reduces the risk of depression. Fatigue is a risk factor for depression for two years postpartum, which suggests that having extended family and friends provide childcare and household relief is beneficial.

Herbal remedies for depression and anxiety should be carefully considered if the mother is nursing and could pass herbal constituents to the infant through breast milk. During this “fourth trimester,” she should continue to work closely with her health team to get support and advice and consider an integrative protocol tailored to her specific needs.

What is essential is to treat depression and anxiety in order to safeguard the well-being of the mother and infant. This may include bioidentical hormones, psychotherapy, vitamins, antioxidants, and herbs that stabilize or boost mood and reduce anxiety.

You may be interested in this study that explores the role of tryptophan and tyrosine, both antidepressant amino acids, in lessening the severity of postpartum blues.

La Cuarentena: A Mexican Postpartum Tradition

When I first arrived in Mexico, la cuarentena was widely practiced. La cuarentena literally translates as “quarantine” and is the forty-day period when a woman rests after giving birth. She abstains from sex, eats lots of nourishing foods and herbs, and is cared for by her female friends and relatives who cook, clean, and support almost all of her needs.

La cuarentena is being practiced less frequently due to the demands of modern life. Even among rural women, la cuarentena is disappearing. Yet, there is so much wisdom in providing women with unfettered time to bond with their newborns while being relieved of all the pressures of caring for others. What a marvelous gift to give the new mother, to whatever degree possible, so she is the focus of care and support.

How We Can Use This Tradition To Support New Mothers

Organize a group of friends and family members to review the new mother’s needs. These may include food preparation, cleaning with herbal products and aromatherapy, pitching in to serve as a nanny, a wet nurse or lactation consultant, or someone to sleep over to help soothe the crying baby or arranging for laundry, house cleaning, and food preparation.

Provide helpful gifts for self-care, like an all-natural skin brush with instructions on how to dry brush skin daily toward the heart. This will keep the immune system strong and also speed the release of swelling fluids collected during pregnancy.