Exercise Reduces Postnatal Depression Risk

Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression (PND), is a form of clinical depression affecting predominantly women after childbirth. The prevalence of the condition is disputed because its severity varies greatly, but it is thought that as many as 80% of women may experience it in some form or another following pregnancy. For some women, the joy of having a baby is marred by postnatal depression, a form of clinical depression that can occur immediately after giving birth or even weeks to months later. It is well established that exercise can improve mood and that in new mothers, it can reduce symptoms of PND. What has not been studied, however, is the impact of group physical therapy exercise on new mothers to both help prevent PND and improve their ability to care for their new infant. Researchers have found that the risk of PND can be reduced in new mothers who participate in group physical therapy exercise.

A recent study has found that exercise may hold the key to break away from the dangers of postpartum depression. According to the researcher, it proves that regular physical exercise and general well-being could help curtail the risk of PND. The research was conducted by a group of researchers at the University of Melbourne. The study was conducted on a number of women who had recently delivered a child. These women were randomly enrolled to groups- Mother & Baby program (M&B) and an educational program respectively. The women in M&B program engaged in one hour of exercise daily together with half an hour session of parenting education once a week for a period of eight weeks, whereas in educational program women were given only the parenting and baby care education. The results established that the women from M&B group were found to be lesser depressed and showed considerable progress on the count of healthy living as compared to the women enrolled in educational only program. The researchers concluded that a group exercise program led by a physical therapist, who was an expert in improving and restoring motion to people’s daily lives, can help mothers who may be at risk for PND improve their well-being and enable them to better care for their children.

For more on how exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle changes can help prevent or treat PND,. visit my website www.RandiFredricks.com or check out my book, Healing and Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. My book has entire chapter devoted to PND.

Best in health,
Randi