Exploring Transformation in Postpartum Depression

In many ways, this statement could define motherhood. The discrete period of time encompassing the temporal edges motherhood, 1 year before through 1 year after delivery- extends a woman quite literally beyond herself. The physical outcome is a living manifestation of a wider aspect of life, humanity, and the cosmos-her baby. The psychological outcome istraditionally compartmentalized as a reaction to the experience, ranging from joy and health, to pathos and disease. What lies in between? For nearly one in five women, the postpartum experience includes severe unhappiness (Keyes & Goodman, 2006). Depression is the second most common cause of hospitalization for all women in the U.S.; the first being childbirth (Blenning & Paladine, 2005; Gold & Marcus, 2008). Current estimates are that in the United States, postpartum depression (PPD) impacts 15% to 25% of women annually (N. Gavin et al., 2005; Wisner et al., 2013; Zittel-Palamara, Cercone,& Rockmaker, 2009).