Postpartum depression is a common thing for women after giving birth. Studies found out that 80% of mothers experience postpartum depression, and it is limited to affecting first-time moms. Common causes for this are 1) the hormonal changes in the body after giving birth (hormones tend to go during pregnancy and eventually drops after giving birth), 2) there might be an existing case of depression within the mother which was triggered by childbirth, and 3) stress and problems.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include bouts of sadness, the inability to take care of the baby or doing chores, crying for no reason, sleeping too much, and the lack of interest in anything, to name a few.
Luckily, in this age of the smartphone, apps are being developed to help women suffering from postpartum depression. Here are some of the apps specially made for mothers with postpartum depression.
1. Parachute
This app offers credits that mothers can use to schedule activities for them and their children, may it be music classes or language development activities. However, Parachute comes with a monthly plan. Prices vary depending on the plan.
2. Calm
This app is designed to develop people's skills in dealing with anxiety. Calm includes classes that can help boost creativity and health through various stretching videos, meditation, and sleep sounds.
3. Happify
This app uses behavioral, cognitive therapy practices developed by psychologists to help users turn their negative thoughts into something more productive. This can help with handling stress and depression through exercise, games, and activities. Happify is free, but there are features that can be accessed via premium for $14.99.
4. TalkSpace
TalkSpace is basically consulting a therapist virtually. The app matches users with licensed professionals in the nearby area to whom they can text or do a video chat. However, the services are not free, and users have to pay to start at $65 per week.
5. MoodTools
MoodTools is specifically developed for people suffering from clinical depression. It offers not only motivational tips and videos but it also comes with a journal where users can record their emotions and be analyzed with the help of cognitive–behavioral therapy. This application also provides a suicide safety plan in case of users encountering a bad time.
6. Peanut
Tagged as "tinder for moms", this app aims to connect mothers within the area the same way Tinder does for dating. This app offers a new way of sharing motherhood experience and for mothers to exchange tips and socialize. Peanut is a free app.
7. Breath2Relax
When dealing with anxiety attacks, this is the app that can help practice deep breathing. Breath2Relax offers techniques that is proven to lower the heart rate and help relieve stress. The app can also connect to HealthKit or Apple Watch so that users can monitor their heart rate during breathing practice.
8. Headspace
Headspace is probably the household name when it comes to apps that deal with mental health. A lot of people appreciate its features that help them deal with anxieties and stress through meditation and mindfulness. Through these activities, users will be able to improve their mood and focus. The app also comes with Sleepcasts, a feature that helps users get to sleep by giving them soothing sounds. Headspace can be purchased from the app store for $12.22 ($9.99 for students).
9. SoundSleeper
This free app is specifically for making babies sleep peacefully but can also be used by adults with trouble sleeping. The features offer a set of white noise sounds and lullabies that help calm the nerves from stress, anxiety, and depression. The app also allows tracking sleep progress.
10. PPD ACT
This app is a genetic-based study of postpartum depression. It is considered as the first of its kind where mothers can take part in the comprehensive study questionnaire. The data that will be gathered from this application shall help scientists work for a way to effectively deal with postpartum depression.
