Would-be moms, take note: Exercise reduces postnatal depression in new mommies | Health - Hindustan Times
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Would-be moms, take note: Exercise reduces postnatal depression in new mommies

Asian News International, Washington DC | By
Jun 20, 2017 09:44 AM IST

Exercises like stretching, breathing, aerobics and yoga can reduce risk of postnatal depression among new mothers, says a new study.

Exercise is beneficial for pregnant women and, as it turns out, for new mothers as well. Practising stretching, breathing, aerobic activities and yoga during and post-pregnancy reduces the risk of postnatal depression, suggests a study. According to researchers, women who exercised displayed fewer signs of depression following the birth of a child.

Postpartum depression not only affect the mother but also the child, who can suffer poor emotional and cognitive development.(Shutterstock)
Postpartum depression not only affect the mother but also the child, who can suffer poor emotional and cognitive development.(Shutterstock)

They tracked the mental health of almost 1,000 mothers, who were offered exercise interventions during and after pregnancy. Researcher Celia Alvarez-Bueno, from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, said that the negative consequences of postpartum depression not only affect the mother but also the child, who can suffer poor emotional and cognitive development.

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Practicing aerobic activities and yoga during and post-pregnancy reduces the risk of postnatal depression. (Shutterstock)
Practicing aerobic activities and yoga during and post-pregnancy reduces the risk of postnatal depression. (Shutterstock)

Symptoms of postpartum depression can include anxiety attacks, insecurity, irritability, fatigue, guilt, fear of harming the baby and a reluctance to breastfeed. The symptoms start within four weeks of delivery and are considered severe when they last for more than two weeks, according to the researchers.

Alvarez-Bueno stated that it is important to test the most effective strategies to prevent this disorder or mitigate the consequences. The team analysed data from 12 trials of exercise interventions during or after pregnancy between 1990 and 2016. The studies included a total of 932 women and all examined them for their severity of postpartum depression. The exercises used in the various studies included stretching and breathing, walking programs, aerobic activity, pilates and yoga.

Compared to women who did not exercise, the researchers found those who did had fewer depression symptom during the postpartum period. The findings indicated that exercise after pregnancy also reduced depression among the women who did not had diagnosable symptoms. The research is published in the journal Birth.

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