The arrival of a new baby can be an exciting, life-changing experience. It can also be overwhelming and leave you feeling a variety of emotions. For some women, it can lead to a common but serious illness known as “postpartum depression”.
Studies by the CDC show about 1 in 8 women, or over 12%, experience postpartum depression. The prevalence of postpartum depression has increased in the past decade, and is more likely to occur in women of color.
Stress, anxiety, overtiredness from lack of sleeping, irritability, mood swings, or the “baby blues” are normal after the arrival of a new baby. After all, this is a major life adjustment! A general sense of feeling overwhelmed by these changes is to be expected.
A new baby takes up a lot of your time, which means loss of free time or doing activities you would before your baby arrived, or seeing less of family and friends. The “baby blues” are very common the first two weeks, but if the sadness and anxiety don’t go away, then it could be something more.
New mothers expect a lot of themselves during this time, to be able to take care of the new baby, family and home, all while taking care of themselves. Fear of judgement for struggling to keep up with daily tasks, adjusting to motherhood, or feeling like you aren’t bonding with your new baby lead women to avoid seeking help from family or their OB/GYN. A general lack of resources, like finances or distance to the nearest care practice to get professional help, is another barrier many new moms face when dealing with postpartum depression.
It’s critical for the health of mothers and their babies that they be open with their OB/GYN or midwife about how they are feeling. With the quick action of the postpartum depression drug, women may have a new option to find relief for their depression symptoms. Previous treatments included therapy and antidepressants, which can take weeks for women to feel the full effects of the medication.
The approval of the first oral medication to treat postpartum depression, called Zurzuvae, has the potential to close healthcare gaps preventing women from accessing postpartum care. The pill offers near-immediate relief and is a more accessible form of treatment that is only taken for 14 days.
Doctors can treat postpartum depression with antidepressants, antianxiety medication, therapy, and a postpartum drug called Brexanolone, which is administered through an IV over the course of 2 days under a doctor or nurse’s supervision. Many of these medications take weeks before women see changes, and leaving a new baby and family to get treatment can be disruptive to life at home.
With this new medication, moms can receive effective help faster than before. And while it is a welcomed treatment option, it may not be for everyone. Talk to your OB/GYN to see if the new postpartum depression drug is right for you, or about alternative treatment options.
Our OB/GYN and midwifery teams take the time to provide you with personalized care and attention, and are well-trained to recognize and treat postpartum depression. Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and Sisters of Charity Hospital are nationally ranked for their maternity care, earning the “High Performing” hospital designation from U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024. When you leave the hospital, we continue to offer a full program of support, including postpartum follow-up appointments, education, and assistance classes, to ensure you and your baby grow healthy together and receive the best care possible.
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