Hormonal changes—after giving birth, the new mother’s progesterone and estrogen levels decrease significantly. This drop, which dramatically affects some women, causes serious problems in their day-to-day living.
Genetics—a woman’s heredity may be the cause. If your mother, grandmother, and other women on down the line experienced postpartum depression, you may be predisposed to it.
Social, cultural, and psychological influences—a new baby impacts all of these factors. For example, the mother’s normal routines are disrupted and her career and/or relationships with others may suffer. Having a sick or difficult child makes matters even worse (PsychWatch: Sadness at the Happiest of Times, 2014, p. 195). Postpartum depression is a psychological abnormality. Because of this, it can be assessed in terms of “the four Ds.”
Deviance—postpartum depression is not the norm. In other words, society sees it as improper conduct.
Distress—postpartum depression causes new mothers to feel