Everyone expects a new mother to be happy. That expectation alone keeps a lot of women from saying anything when they’re not. Postpartum depression isn’t just feeling low for a day or two. It’s weeks of sadness and exhaustion and anxiety that don’t lift on their own and it’s a recognized medical condition. In Pune specifically the silence around it tends to run deeper because women feel they have to look composed for family and visitors and mental health struggles still aren’t something people talk about openly.
According to Dr. Nivedita Kadu, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Lifeline Multispecialty Hospital in Ravet “Most families chalk it up to tiredness from the delivery and leave it at that. By the time anyone realizes something’s actually wrong the mother’s usually been dealing with it alone for weeks already.” That delay between the first signs and someone actually noticing tends to be where things get harder to manage.
Could what you’re feeling after delivery be more than fatigue?
Why Does Postpartum Depression Stay Hidden in Pune?
A handful of things feed into this and they tend to reinforce each other.
- The expectation of instant bliss: New mothers are supposed to feel overjoyed right from day one so saying otherwise can feel like admitting failure.
- Stigma around mental health: Even families who do notice something’s wrong often stay quiet rather than bring it up or seek help.
- Screening gaps: Postnatal checkups are built around physical recovery and there’s rarely a moment set aside to ask how the mother’s mind is doing.
- Confusing it with exhaustion: Being tired after childbirth is expected anyway so ongoing low mood just gets folded into that and dismissed.
None of this makes the condition any less serious. At Lifeline the obstetrics and gynecology team makes mental health part of every postnatal visit rather than something that only comes up if asked.
What Does Getting Help Actually Look Like?
Most families picture this being far more complicated than it actually is.
- Initial screening: A brief questionnaire during a regular visit is often enough on its own to flag early symptoms.
- Talk therapy first: A good number of women see real improvement from counseling alone especially if it starts early.
- Medication when needed: When counseling isn’t enough there are medication options that are considered safe alongside breastfeeding.
- Family involvement: Things tend to move faster when the people around the mother understand what she’s going through and adjust accordingly.
Getting ahead of this early makes a real difference in how recovery unfolds. Anyone dealing with other health concerns they’ve been putting off might find it worth reading about gynecological issues in Ravet too.
Why Choose Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital in Ravet?
Dr. Nivedita Kadu, MBBS MS, keeps a close eye on maternal mental health as part of her broader work with high-risk pregnancies. Postnatal visits at Lifeline aren’t just a physical exam. Mood comes up too because those early weeks after delivery are when warning signs are both the easiest to spot and the easiest to miss entirely.
Call +91 9172519029 to schedule a postnatal checkup, or visit the hospital near Sant Tukaram Maharaj Bridge, Ravet, Pune.
FAQ's
How is postpartum depression different from the baby blues?
The baby blues usually clear up within a week or two without any real intervention. Postpartum depression lasts a lot longer and actually gets in the way of daily life.
Can postpartum depression be treated while breastfeeding?
It can. Several treatment options are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers and a doctor can walk through what fits your case.
Does it only affect first-time mothers?
It doesn’t. It can show up after any pregnancy regardless of whether it’s a first child or a fourth.
When should a family seek help?
Once low mood or anxiety has lasted more than two weeks after delivery it’s worth bringing up with a doctor.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace a consultation with a qualified physician.
