Cause

The exact cause of postpartum depression is still unknown. However, it is suspected that the rapid hormone change after the birth of the child has a major influence on the mother’s mood. With the afterbirth of the placenta (placenta) the concentrations of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which during pregnancy had a rather mood-stabilizing effect via receptors in the brain, decrease.

The sudden drop in both hormones as well as the increase in the hormone prolactin (prolactin is responsible for the production of milk in the mammary gland) are probably the triggers for the mood swings, sadness and hopelessness that are often described in postpartum depression. However, this is only a guess and by no means a proven cause. Furthermore, it is also assumed that there is a strong correlation between postpartum depression and an oxytocin deficiency.

Oxytocin has become known as the “cuddling hormone” and is of great importance for the initiation of labor, breastfeeding or the bond between mother and child. In addition, some risk factors are described which may also have an influence on the development of postpartum depression. A pregnant woman who has already developed mental illness during her pregnancy or even before it in the form of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder or phobia has a significantly increased risk of developing postpartum depression.

If mental illnesses occur more frequently in the family, this also leads to an increased risk. Another possible cause for the development of postpartum depression is the physical and mental exhaustion of the mother, which can be caused by an increasing lack of sleep.If the newborn baby wakes up particularly often and for a long time during the night and needs the attention of the mother, this can lead to a shorter sleep time as well as to restless, not restful sleep. However, the greatest risk factor for postpartum depression is an existing life crisis. Mothers who suffer from social (little support from family, friends or partner) or financial poverty have a significantly increased risk of postpartum depression.