Acupuncture for Postnatal Depression in London
With around 1 in 7 new mums suffering some form of depression and as many as a fifth experiencing a temporary period of feeling low in the fortnight following birth, our acupuncture for post-natal depression and the baby blues can help you to find emotional balance in parenthood.
Although they are often used as interchangeable terms, postnatal depression and the baby blues are distinctly different, but both are caused in part by the sudden and rapid hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or following childbirth.
Acupuncture for Postnatal Depression and the baby blues
The baby blues are very common, mainly affect only women, and typically last for a period of around two weeks following birth. Symptoms include a generally low mood, teary episodes and a tendency to cry without reason, and feeling irritable or touchy.
Postnatal depression is an extremely debilitating condition that makes you feel both frightened and lonely, and often creates a sense of being unworthy of motherhood or that they are in some way ‘abnormal’ for being unable to feel the way they expected to about their baby.
Even when treated clinically postnatal depression can last for anywhere up to a year, though on average new mums experience it for a shorter period than that.
There are a number of symptoms that are associated with pregnancy-related depression, including:
- A loss of energy or increased episodes of sleeplessness or disturbed sleep
- Less interest in your own welfare or appearance, or in your pregnancy.
- A sense of emotional detachment accompanied by sudden teary, angry, or irritable outbursts
- A loss of libido
- Poor concentration
- Experiencing unexplained or persistent anxiety about birth and parenthood
- A sense of despair about the future
- Overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Irrational anxiety
- Loss of confidence
Our acupuncture for postnatal depression and baby blues in London can be extremely effective in helping to reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn supports the subconscious to relax and enter what’s often called its ‘rest and digest’ mode.
This helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our natural organ function. At times of high anxiety or stress, the subconscious enters ‘fight or flight’ mode and it is often difficult to switch this mode off – which can be emotionally damaging and prolongs the depression or low mood.
Acupuncture works to calm and soothe the mind and at the same time supports the body physically in terms of achieving improved general wellbeing, both of which give you the best opportunity to manage your emotional health.
How does acupuncture for Postnatal Depression work
Our acupuncture for postnatal depression and baby blues uses superfine needles that are painlessly inserted into the skin to stimulate natural healing energy and encourage the usually dominant parasympathetic system to re-take control from the elevated state of alert that the sympathetic system triggers.
And because acupuncture is a holistic treatment, it may also address any unknown or unexplained issues that could be having a negative effect on your general health.
Who can benefit from acupuncture for Post-Natal Depression?
Anyone who is struggling with antenatal or postnatal depression, or the baby blues, may find acupuncture to be highly beneficial in resetting emotional health and relieving the unhelpful feelings and beliefs that are contributing to your psychological response to motherhood.
And it’s worth saying that postnatal depression can directly impact on dads, too – while any pregnancy- or birth-related emotional issues are tough on everyone. So, dads who are struggling to find ways to support their partner or are feeling overwhelmed in parenthood may find acupuncture helpful.
If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture for postnatal depression and baby blues can support your journey back to emotional wellness and allow you to find happiness in your new family, please get in touch for an informal and confidential chat.