Child birth is trauma!10% of young mothers suffering from postpartum depression

By Hildah Ngetich

Health Journalist|Gender equity advocate

Over 10% of new mothers suffer from postpartum psychosis which results from postpartum depression.

Postpartum psychosis is a mental illness that affects new mothers after giving birth.

According to Nyambura Gathumbi,a psychotherapist,postpartum psychosis develops from postpartum depression which has not been treated after a woman gives birth and starts showing signs of  depression.

“80-85% of women show signs of postpartum blues which is normal in the first five days and between one and four weeks some show signs of postpartum depression which include fatigue,no sleep,no mood and suicidal thoughts,”said Nyambura.

The psychotherapist added that postpartum depression could have begun while one was still pregnant and continued even after giving birth.

Child birth is trauma -Notes  Nyambura.

Nyambura shares that according to research  postpartum psychosis could have been due to a high possibility of bipolar where one becomes manic and starts hallucinating and being delusional and later one starts behaving beyond normal behaviour to a point of experiencing catatonia( a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by abnormal movements, behaviors, and withdrawal) .

The psychotherapist has advised people to seek medical attention where they can fully be treated with oral medicines and IVs as postpartum psychosis,which is basically a mental illness that can get worse and be irreversible-full blown psychosis.

Recently Kenyans were  Aghast with news of  a  27 year old Kitengala mother who was reported to have killed her two-year old baby devouring  parts  of  her body.

Also read:nairobinews.nation.africa/police-detain-kitengela-mother-who-killed-and-fed-on-remains-of-her-two-year-old-child/

Weeks  apart a 26 year Old  Mother Of  two Christine Chepkogei  was on Monday reported to have stabbed to death her two year old  son and  her  Six  year old  daughter who succumbed to injuries while  receiving treatment  at the Moi Teaching and  referral Hospital.

When Interviewed by the Media,remorseful  Chepkogei  claimed that she was undergoing depression  in her troubled  marriage.

Eldoret:Mother of two kills son and attempts to kill six year old daughter!

Chebet Birir,a mental health advocate, has urged the medics to inform members of the public about  their mental health condition and  create awareness on the importance of  mental Health.

Also Read:https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-postpartum-depression

About Author

Eldoret Media Hub

Eldoret Media Hub, a working space for journalists based in Uasin Gishu County set up by the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association (UGJA) through a Media Council of Kenya (MCK) grant.
The facility was officially opened in August 2021 by the MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo.

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