Post-Natal Depression

©  Umm Yahyah

The birth of a baby is one of the most welcomed events in a family’s life.  Lots of joy is associated with the addition of a new member to the family.
Wealth and children are the ornament of life.
   Qur’an, The Cave (8): 46
 However, the mother is the only person who knows the heavy toll and price to pay for this happy event.  As the Qur’an states, ‘His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness and his weaning in two years.’  Qur’an, Luqman (31):14
 For nine consecutive months she carried a heavy load without a break while continuing with her normal chores.  She vomits and feels  nauseous, weak, heavy, tired, and many other physical discomforts of pregnancy.  She may not have had a good night sleep before the birth of the baby or even after the birth for many months to come.  That’s not even mentioning the pain she goes through during labour.  If you have not been through the experience, try to imagine yourself busy doing chores or works with sleep deprivation for half a day.
 In addition to the physical stress, the sudden change in hormone levels around the time of the baby’s birth has a great impact on the woman’s emotional state.  The sheer weariness that overcomes her after the event.  The excitement of having a new baby can make her feel emotional.  She can burst into tears for no particular reason.  She may feel tense and anxious.  She could worry about minor problems and even have problems sleeping.  These symptoms represent what we call “baby blues” and they can be felt soon after the birth.  Up to 70 % of women experience baby blues.  They may last a few days to a couple of weeks.
 However, if these symptoms persist or increase to include any of the following, then it becomes post natal depression (PND):

•  loss of control when usually competent
•  poor self image
•  low self worth
•  inability to do household tasks
•  inability to think clearly or to find the right word
•  exhaustion and over concern about lack of sleep
•  overwhelm feelings of anxiety or depressive moods
•  poor appetite or overeating
•  loss of sexual interest
•  fear of being alone
•  fear of social contact
•  irritable
•  apathy
•  obsessive thoughts and activities
•  exaggerated fears about health and safety of self, baby or partner
•  suicidal thoughts, plan or actions

 As the baby blues increase from episodes of lethargy, sadness and mild depression to deep depression, lack of interest in normal daily activities and self care, the woman’s mental functioning starts to deteriorate until she reaches a state of psychosis.

 If the woman is not provided with lots of care and support at this stage, the condition can escalate overnight where she may experience a sudden onset of auditory and visual hallucinations and thoughts of self harm and harm to the baby.  For instance, the case of the woman who drowned her  five children in the USA.  This condition is known as post natal psychosis and it is much more difficult to treat than PND.

 Whether we are a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, a husband, a friend, a neighbour or even anyone who is in contact with a new mother, we all hold a duty to help our sister-in-Islam.  If she needs her meals cooked, we ought to do that for her.  If she needs her house cleaned, we should organise that for her.  If she needs the baby to be looked after while she takes a nap, we should provide her with that service.  If we think she only needs the company of somebody to talk to, we should force that on her (within limits of course).  If she needs some pampering, why not allow that to happen.  This will make her feel good.  She will be happy to know that she is the centre of attention for a change.  She is as important as every other member of the family.  And always keep in mind that Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, will reward you for  offering the tiniest bit of assistance and understanding.
And whoever does good an atom’s weight will see it then.   Qur’an,  Az-Zalzalah (99):7