Behind the scenes of the postpartum period
Motherhood is one of the greatest symbols of femininity. We can affirm that most women dream of being mothers. The image of a pregnant woman caressing her belly, or even of a woman smiling and joyfully breastfeeding her baby, are images that naturally project in our minds when we address this topic. In real life, however, not everything occurs so smoothly. Studies indicate that one in four women who become mothers for the first time experience some type of psychological disorder related to the postpartum period. Most research focuses on depression, which has an incidence rate of 10 to 15%, but there is growing evidence that anxiety disorders (including panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder) affect 3 to 43% of women during this period (1). It is evident that one of the greatest feelings experienced by a mother when holding her baby is love. An unconditional, inexplicable love that can only be understood by those who have gone through the experience. However, there is no denying that in the first days, or even months, following the birth of the baby, an avalanche of fears, insecurities, and difficulties disrupts the pleasurable relationship between the mother and her child, as well as with others around her. Breastfeeding is one of the first challenges encountered. Most women suffer from breast pain, nipple cracks, engorgement, and/or leaking milk, insecurity regarding sufficient production, difficulty in establishing feeding routines, among others. The act of breastfeeding, despite providing pleasure and satisfaction to the mother, is far from being fully calm and peaceful as depicted in photos. In Brazil, although 92% of women initiate exclusive breastfeeding, more than half of the children are no longer exclusively breastfed by the first month of life, which may be related to a lack of support and professional guidance (2). Baby colic, which affects about 10% of newborns, is another difficult factor to deal with. A survey conducted with mothers and fathers of babies suffering from colic (those who cry for three or more consecutive hours daily due to pain) shows that they report extreme fatigue and worry, as well as feelings of helplessness in the face of their child's suffering (3). Another important issue is the woman's self-esteem during the postpartum period, which tends to decrease. During pregnancy, expectant mothers receive various recommendations regarding regular nutrition, the use of specific cosmetics, and tips for body care rituals. Once the baby is born, all recommendations shift to the baby, and the mother often forgets about herself, sometimes even avoiding moisturizers for fear that the fragrance might harm the baby. These topics are common in social media forums of groups aimed at mothers, such as the 4 Mom's group on Facebook, which currently has 5,286 members (www.4moms.com.br). A recently published study (4) on the views and expectations of women in the postpartum period showed that support from partners and family is essential for the physical and emotional well-being of both the mother and the baby. It is interesting to highlight that women expect to receive this support spontaneously, that is, without needing to ask for it. Thus, the suggestion for support is both for us who have relatives, friends, and acquaintances who have just had their baby, as well as for companies that sell products and services related to well-being. How can we contribute to women during this sublime period and help them enjoy every minute of this phase, which, despite being a bit difficult, marks the discovery of true love and happiness?
References: (1) Moore D, Ayers S. A review of postnatal mental health websites: help for healthcare professionals and patients. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2011 Dec;14(6):443-52; (2) Venâncio, S.I. Difficulties in establishing breastfeeding: the role of maternity care practices. Jornal de Pediatria - Vol. 79, Nº1, 2003; (3) Landgren K, Hallström I. Parents' experience of living with a baby with infantile colic--a phenomenological hermeneutic study. Scand J Caring Sci. 2011 Jun; 25(2):317-24; (4) Negron R, Martin A, Almog M, Balbierz A, Howell EA. Social Support During the Postpartum Period: Mothers' Views on Needs, Expectations, and Mobilization of Support. Matern Child Health J. 2012; May 12
