Postpartum depression is an example of a mood disorder that affects a woman after they experience childbirth. Mothers with this disorder experience an intense sense of sadness, exhaustion, and anxiety that impacts their ability to take care of themselves and others. Researchers have spent years in assessing how brain changes are responsible for the occurrence of postpartum depression. Researchers have used the primarily utilized brain imaging scans to identify several alterations that signify the existence of the postnatal depression in women who have previously undergone childbirth. Further studies have shown that a woman with postpartum depression has their levels of estrogen and progesterone significantly heightens. As a result, chemical changes occur in the brain that could trigger the mood swings. Postpartum depression is a common mental health disorder that mainly affects new mothers and is characterized by far-reaching chemical changes in the brain due to hormonal changes.
Scientific Perspective of Inquiry
Researchers believe that postpartum depression results from a combination of physical and emotional factors. The primary hormones responsible for the condition include estrogen and progesterone, which tend to significantly lower. Also, the mothers with this condition are unable to acquire the much-needed rest to recover from the process of childbirth fully. The constant lack of sleep could lead to exhaustion and physical discomfort, which in turn contributes to the symptoms of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can come with a wide variety of symptoms, including the feeling of sadness, wearisomeness, mood swings, oversleeping, trouble in concentration, and an experience of anger and rage. Recent studies have shown that the hormonal changes are responsible for the alterations witnessed in the brain. The use of sophisticated imaging scans targeting the brain has revealed higher amounts of a chemical called glutamate (McEwen et al., 2012). The chemical is especially higher in the prefrontal cortex among women with the disorder compared to their normal counterparts. Glutamate is a chemical in the brain responsible for memory and learning.
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The effects of postpartum depression on individuals could have far-reaching consequences. As previously indicated, it can have severe changes in the chemical composition of the brain. As a type of depression, it can contribute towards many physical problems that could lead to a host of immune challenges, including the heart and the immune system. Some of the physical symptoms associated with depression include chronic fatigue, lack of appetite, increased pain, and insomnia, among others. The mother's immunity will also experience a general deep due to depression. Research on the brain and the nervous systems has also found significant discrepancies in neurotransmitters of individuals with the postpartum depression. One particular study was directed towards the levels of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric (GABA). The results of the study have shown that the levels of GABA tend to be low among mothers with the disorder (McEwen et al., 2012). Research has also sought to establish the genetic basis of postpartum depression in women.
Today, researchers continue to identify certain genes associated with maternal care and overall parental care. The studies have primarily employed the use of rodents. The result has shown that the problem is not associated with the absence of certain genes but rather a host of genetic variations responsible for altering maternal behavior. The hormonal imbalance that occurs after childbirth can also lead to an excessive show of emotion and the occurrence of stressful events. With the lowered levels of estrogen and progesterone levels, the women tend to lack appropriate hormonal responses that return the body to a state of normalcy. It is therefore important to conclude that postpartum depression has far-reaching consequences on various body systems, including the central nervous system and the immune system. Epidemiological studies have identified several risk factors associated with maternal depression. They include lower socioeconomic status, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, and single marital status. Women with a history of postpartum depression or any other form of depression also have an increased risk at this condition (Ghaedrahmati et al., 2017).
Mathematical/Analytical Perspective of Inquiry
First, it is important to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression as an illness affecting women. Studies have shown that illness affects 1 in every 7 new mothers. In general, the disorder affects up to 15% of new mothers (Guille et al., 2013). The main problem associated with the disease is the tendency of under-recognition and a lack of treatment. Postpartum depression is commonly associated with another condition known as postpartum blues or the baby blues. Research has shown that the baby blue has a prevalence of between 15% and 85% of women within the first 10 days prior to giving birth (Mazaheri et al., 2014). The only difference with baby blues is the fact that postpartum depression can affect the general life of the woman, including their motherly roles. Secondly, it is important to look at postpartum depression through economic lenses. One of the risk factors identified for the development and advancement of the postpartum disorder is low socioeconomic condition or poverty. Research has shown that generally, depression is higher in women with socioeconomic status compared to other women.
Secondly, the uncertainty that the new mothers experience as regards the future of the child can contribute to the depressive episodes. Women from well-established and economically viable families have better coping skills due to the lack of uncertainty and the social support they receive from their family members. Therefore, the issue can be looked through the lenses of economic differences between individuals. The Karl Marx capitalist theory explored the significant differences that exist between members of society. The society is stratified based on economic classes. The high and middle-class members will show better health outcomes because they have the resources needed to do so. On the other hand, people from low socioeconomic conditions will generally have reduced access to health facilities due to the lack of resources (Fairthorne et al., 2018). Mathematical inquiry to the issue also requires a keen assessment of the statistical factors surrounding the health condition. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that postpartum depression is a common disease in the US. 1 in every 10 women in the US face this problem (Mazaheri et al., 2014).
However, the prevalence differs by age, race, and ethnicity. Postpartum depression is more prevalent among African American women compared to their white counterparts. Research shows that 44% of black women experience a host of postpartum mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and general mood disorders compared to their white counterparts whose prevalence is only at 31% (Guille et al., 2013). Despite their challenges, black women are more likely to face social, cultural, and economic obstacles when looking for mental healthcare. The prevalence of the postpartum disorder in African American women is almost twice that of their white counterparts. Black women are primarily influenced by their cultural entanglements. A notion has been created among the black women that emphasize a sense of strength. Depression among these women can be seen as a sign of weakness, which thus inhibits their chances and opportunities at receiving medical healthcare. Other than the statistical significance of the issue, it is important to assess the statistical processes used to study the issue and provide the best example of the associated phenomenon.
In a bid to assess the chemical changes that occur in the brain in women with postpartum depression, studies have employed evidential means such as magnetic imaging to assess the distribution of different chemicals in the brain. The use of research animals has also significantly assisted in assessing the dynamics of neurotransmitters and hormone distribution during the period of illness. Research studies, including longitudinal, meta-analyses, and cross-sectional studies, have helped in uncovering essential ideas regarding postpartum depression. The longitudinal studies can help in acquiring the long-term perspectives of this disorder. On the other hand, cross-sectional studies can provide a comparative value of the disorder and can help in determining the relationships between whites versus blacks or individuals from low socioeconomic condition versus those from high socioeconomic conditions.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is a common mental health disorder that mainly affects new mothers and is characterized by far-reaching chemical changes in the brain due to hormonal changes. The disease can be viewed through two different perspectives, including the scientific and the analytical perspective. The scientific approach helps an individual understand the anatomical and physiological issues affecting individuals with postpartum depression. Some of the physical changes associated with the disease include a reduced hormonal influence, an increase in glutamate brain content, and the severe depressive episodes that impact the welfare of an individual. From an analytical point of view, postpartum depression is a very prevalent disease affecting almost 1 in every 7 women. It has economic and racial connotations that lead to disparity in the prevalence with women and individuals from low socioeconomic conditions being the biggest casualties. Statistical processes that can shed more light on the issue include research methodologies and hospital procedures such as magnetic imaging of the brain.
References
Fairthorne, J., Hanley, G. E., & Oberlander, T. F. (2018). Depressed Women of Low Socioeconomic Status Have High Numbers of Physician Visits in the Year Before Pregnancy: Implications for Care. Journal of clinical medicine research, 10(6), 516.
Ghaedrahmati, M., Kazemi, A., Kheirabadi, G., Ebrahimi, A., & Bahrami, M. (2017). Postpartum depression risk factors: A narrative review. Journal of education and health promotion, 6.
Guille, C., Newman, R., Fryml, L. D., Lifton, C. K., & Epperson, C. N. (2013). Management of postpartum depression. Journal of Midwifery & women's health, 58(6), 643-653.
Mazaheri, M. A., Rabiei, L., Masoudi, R., Hamidizadeh, S., Nooshabadi, M. R. R., & Najimi, A. (2014). Understanding the factors affecting the postpartum depression in the mothers of Isfahan city. Journal of education and health promotion, 3.
McEwen, A. M., Burgess, D. T., Hanstock, C. C., Seres, P., Khalili, P., Newman, S. C. ... & LeMelledo, J. M. (2012). Increased glutamate levels in the medial prefrontal cortex in patients with postpartum depression. Neuropsychopharmacology, 37(11), 2428.
