Depression in the puerperium (postpartum depression)
Postpartum psychoses
0.1 – 0.2 % of all women suffer from postpartum psychosis, such as depression, mania or schizophrenia (more often around the 5th week)
Tips and advice for the puerperium
Hygiene is important during the postpartum period to prevent infections. Since the postpartum flow (lochia) is always infectious, full baths should be avoided. This is to prevent the infectious lochia from coming into contact with the breast, which may have small tears on the nipple and is an entry point for pathogens.
The women who have recently given birth should also use a separate towel for the lower half of the body and one for the upper half to dry themselves after bathing. For hygienic reasons, swimming pool visits should also be avoided as long as the postpartum flow is flowing. Sexual intercourse during the postpartum period is also not recommended due to the risk of infection.
However, oral contraception (contraception) such as the pill that was used before pregnancy should not be used, as it is not suitable for this. A progestin preparation should be used. In any case, the gynaecologist should be consulted to use a suitable contraceptive.
If symptoms begin to appear, such as headaches, earaches, abdominal pain during menstruation, an infection of the uterus should always be considered and the gynaecologist should be consulted immediately. You should also be examined for bleeding that is greater than the normal lochia. Early failure of the lochia can indicate an obstruction in the outflow and can lead to secondary infections.
Therefore, if you have a low weekly flow or no weekly flow, you should also consult your gynecologist. Painful, red and overheated breasts can indicate an inflammation. In the early stages, curd cheese compresses can bring relief.
If nothing changes in the findings after one or two days, you should consult your gynaecologist in order to be able to treat with antibiotics at an early stage and avoid the development of abscesses (pus cavities). Since the birth has put a great deal of strain on the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor exercises should be aimed for. If there is a suspicion of depressive moods, depression or postpartum psychosis, patients should not be afraid to mention this during a visit to the doctor, as the symptoms are usually overlooked and not treated.
