Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Treatment for postpartum depression is very similar to treatment for depression and other mood disorders. Hospitalization may be necessary in cases where the mother is suicidal or feels they may harm their baby. Postpartum depression can be treated with antidepressants, usually in combination with therapy or a support group. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are one option for antidepressants, as are tricyclics. Both of these medications are thought to be safe for women who are breastfeeding. This can often be a conflict for mothers. Some mothers may be concerned about the way the medication affects their breastfeeding baby, and some medications may be unsafe for breastfeeding babies. Because of this, some women may need to choose between breastfeeding and taking their medication. This is challenging because breastfeeding is good for the baby and helps the baby and the mother to bond. For a women who may already be experiencing worry and anxiety about how well they are caring for their baby, taking medications that make it so they must stop breastfeeding may feel like a failure to them. However, it is important for people to take the medications that help them function best.

Some new mothers may choose to use herbal medicine as one way to treat their symptoms. St. John's wort, which helps with depression, and kava, which helps with insomnia and anxiety, are both used to treat postpartum depression. Other new mothers may choose to use traditional Chinese medicine which utilizes herbs and roots to treat abnormal symptoms. Treatment by Chinese medicine is personalized, so it will vary from person to person. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been used as a treatment for depression. Both infant and maternal massage has been used as a treatment for postpartum depression. People experiencing postpartum depression may also want to use aromatherapy using essential oils. Acupuncture is another common complementary or alternative treatment.