Psychologist warned about the risks of maternal burnout after childbirth

The birth of a child is accompanied not only by joy, but also by a serious strain on the psyche and body of a woman, which can lead to maternal burnout. Anna Semenenko, psychologist and consultant of the Paomma brand, told Izvestia about this on March 22.

"In the first weeks after giving birth, a woman finds herself in a situation where there is simultaneously a change in her social role, body recovery and adaptation to new conditions. This is a heavy burden on the psyche, especially against the background of chronic lack of sleep," the specialist noted.

According to her, a woman has to rebuild her identity, combining the role of a mother with previous social roles. The situation may be complicated by a difficult birth or psychological trauma if the process did not go according to plan.

Semenenko stressed that accumulated fatigue can quickly turn into asthenia and emotional burnout. In some cases, this leads to postpartum anxiety and depressive disorder. According to medical statistics, from 4 to 10% of women face such conditions.

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The psychologist added that in the first months after giving birth, increased emotionality, irritability, problems with concentration and memory are normal. These changes are related to hormonal processes and, as a rule, weaken by the fourth month of a child's life.

"If a young mother wants to cry, it's a natural reaction to stress. It is important to allow yourself to experience emotions and not ignore your own condition," the expert explained.

In this case, indifference to the child, sleep disorders and eating disorders can be an alarming signal. In such cases, the specialist recommends seeking medical help. Only a doctor can assess the condition and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

According to her, the speed of recovery after childbirth depends on a combination of factors — physical condition, the level of support from the family and psychological readiness for motherhood. The expert recommended that in the first months you pay attention to rest, spend more time outdoors and not be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones. It is also important to properly organize the baby's sleep and feeding in order to reduce stress and speed up recovery.

In Russia, women who are not planning to have a child can be referred to a psychologist. As noted on March 18, the recommendations indicate that the optimal age for pregnancy is from 18 to 35 years. If risk factors are identified, including underweight or overweight, unhealthy habits, and chronic diseases, the patient should be referred to a therapist. In addition, if you have acne and alopecia (baldness), you can consult a dermatovenerologist.

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