Postpartum Depression: A Sociocultural Review

Abstract

Postnatal Depression or “baby blues” is a serious medical condition that causes intense feelings of anxiety, sadness, and tiredness in mothers following childbirth. The condition affects 1 in 7 women in the US, up to 15% of all mothers. The condition is caused by many overlapping factors, including chemical imbalances in the brain and hormonal changes in the body which have been studied extensively in women who experience postpartum depression. Less research exists on the sociocultural factors of new mothers' living conditions and how they affect the development and severity of postpartum depression. In this article, we will study the socio-cultural factors that trigger postpartum depression, such as maternal mental health and fatigue. The effects of postpartum depression endanger both the mother and the child; its causes must be studied extensively to provide proper effective maternal support and care to ensure healthy parents and children.