Although the arrival of a baby is often described as the happiest moment in a woman's life, many mothers silently experience profound sadness, fear, and confusion. Why is postpartum depression still taboo to talk about? Why do we feel guilt when we experience it?

The reality many women experience when holding their baby is very different from the image promised to be an idyllic moment. This difference leads many mothers to remain silent or feel ashamed to share their fears, sadness, and sudden anxieties about the arrival of a new family member. Although science has advanced significantly in postpartum care, taboo and guilt still persist when discussing postpartum depression in the emotional realm of the mother.

The invisible taboo

Historically, motherhood has been idealized as a state of absolute fulfillment. Every mother is expected to feel happy, grateful, and complete from the very first moment. Social media, the media, and popular culture reinforce this image, making women who don't fit this ideal feel isolated, judged, and even labeled as bad mothers.

However, the figures reveal a much more complex reality: it is estimated that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, and many choose silence, either for fear of social judgment or, in the worst cases, the risk of being separated from their children. Breaking down this barrier and fostering more spaces for conversation, where support, active listening, and concrete solutions are prioritized, is vital to safeguarding not only the mental health of mothers but also the overall well-being of their families.

The risk of constructing an idealized motherhood that does not allow for emotional nuances

The harm caused to society by silencing such a natural process as the hormonal dysregulation a woman may experience after giving birth is profound and lasting. When, due to ignorance or taboo, timely measures are not taken, it opens the door to countless problems for both mother and child: from difficulties in bonding to consequences for the emotional development of both.

Added to this burden is a sense of guilt that many women carry in silence. Feeling like a "bad mother" for not being happy, thinking "with so many women wanting to be mothers, how can I complain?", or fearing judgment from their family, social circle, or even medical professionals, are common thoughts among those experiencing this situation.

Addressing postpartum depression requires understanding that it is not a lack of love, but the silent manifestation of a body and mind crying out for help.

At Femenina, we want to support all mothers going through this painful time. Therefore, we are sharing some factors that can trigger postpartum depression, so they can be identified early.

• Intense hormonal changes: After childbirth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, affecting brain chemistry and mood.
• Lack of sleep: physical exhaustion and sleep deprivation are almost inevitable in the postpartum period and have a major impact on emotional stability.
• Social pressure and unrealistic expectations: the belief that motherhood must be perfect generates frustration and feelings of failure when reality does not fit with that image.
• History of mental disorders or previous depression: Women who have experienced depression or anxiety before pregnancy have a higher risk of developing postpartum depression.
• Lack of support network: social isolation or the absence of a supportive partner or family increases emotional and physical exhaustion.

Let's talk without fear: ask, listen and act, an act of love towards mothers

Talking about postpartum depression without prejudice is urgent and necessary. Supporting women going through this stage involves more than just good wishes: it requires sincere questions and direct conversations, without taboos or euphemisms. Asking how they feel, if they've experienced sadness, fear, or difficult thoughts about themselves or their babies, can create spaces for relief and prevention.

Silence often leaves invisible wounds that last a lifetime. That's why it's essential to educate yourself, read, hear testimonies, and understand that you are not alone: ​​there are support networks, trained professionals, and communities willing to listen without judgment.

Breaking the silence not only saves lives, it also rebuilds relationships. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is an act of courage that can transform motherhood into a more real, humane, and compassionate experience for everyone.

By:

Daniella Parodi

Social Communicator

daniellaparodi15@gmail.com