Can a Gynecologist Help with Postpartum Depression?

Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression; this becomes more prevalent in specific reproductive phases of vulnerability: adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and the menopausal transition. Obstetrician–gynecologists (OB-GYN) are frequently the health care specialists that women turn to during these sensitive times with all symptoms, even beyond depression or anxiety. Thus, obstetricians and gynecologists can play a key role in the early detection, prevention, and treatment of mood disorders by screening for depression and other mood disorders during these critical periods. Women for Women is a team of six female Board-certified/ Board-eligible OB/GYN physicians and one female certified nurse practitioner focused on Women’s health in New Hyde Park.

What is postpartum depression?

Having a baby raises many emotions and feelings that can sometimes become overwhelming, whether that be joy and happiness or fear and uneasiness. With the many hormones and body changes leading up to and following birth, depression is an all too common side effect seen in Women’s health in New Hyde Park. Many new moms experience what is referred to as the “baby blues” 2-3 days after giving birth, in which they start to feel depressed and worried and could find themselves irritated by the new baby, their partners, or their other children. This may include:

Crying for no apparent reason
Mood swings, anxiety, irritability
Having trouble falling asleep, eating, and decision making
Questioning motherhood

In Women’s health in New Hyde Park, we see many mothers only experiencing these thoughts and feelings coming and going for the first few days, but they begin to subside after about two weeks. But often, mothers may experience a more long-term and severe level of intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or despair known as postpartum depression. Detailed symptoms of postpartum depression include:

Excessive crying
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Withdrawing from your family and friends
Loss of appetite or overeating
Insomnia or oversleeping
Overwhelming fatigue, loss of energy, irritability, and anger
Reduced interest and pleasure in once enjoyable activities
Severe anxiety or panic attacks
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Can a gynecologist help with postpartum depression?

Gynecologists here at Women for Women are well trained in Women’s health in New Hyde Park and know how to recognize depression early to work on treatment options before symptoms become chronic and begin to have a negative effect on mothers and families. Cervical and breast cancer, hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases, and family planning are all conditions that are widely treated in obstetric gynecology settings and have a number of effective screening and preventive measures. Interventions that encourage mental and emotional well-being, on the other hand, are not yet widely available.

Mood disorders in pregnant and postpartum women have a tremendous public health impact and should be treated early. The best time to start combating depression is before pregnancy. At prenatal appointments, the focus should also be placed on the expectant moms’ emotional well-being, self-efficacy, and preparedness to parent, nutrition, traditional prenatal care, and overall physical and tangible qualities of Women’s health in New Hyde Park.

Preliminary research suggests that anticipatory parenting instruction and parental support can greatly reduce the risk of postpartum depression. OB-GYNs can help women who require extra parenting support by referring them to resources and support programs looking to improve Women’s health in New Hyde Park.

Women For Woman Obstetrics and Gynecology

Women for Women strive to stay true to what our name implies. We are women specializing in Women’s health in New Hyde Park and working to offer the best possible care for other women from puberty all the way through menopause. Request an appointment today to get started!