Canadian researchers create natural supplement to combat postpartum blues

A natural supplement, invented and developed by a team of Canadian researchers, has been shown to prevent postpartum blues and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression.

A natural supplement, invented and developed by a team of Canadian researchers, has been shown to help prevent postpartum blues and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression after giving birth, according to a new study.

The study, published Wednesday in the Lancet journal eClinicalMedicine, discovered that among the over 100 participants who received four doses of the natural supplement within several days after childbirth, two-thirds (66 per cent) experienced either no symptoms or only minor symptoms of postpartum blues.

“Both postpartum blues and later symptoms of depression were lower in women who received the supplement,” said Jeffrey Meyer, the senior author and senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). “Providing this supplement in the first few days after giving birth is a crucial window to avoid depressive symptoms which is important given there is considerable risk that they may recur and have a lifelong impact.”

Postpartum blues (also referred to as the ‘baby blues’) is a frequent syndrome of sad mood, crying spells, anxiety, restlessness, reduced appetite, and irritability, typically peaking on day five of postpartum, according to the study. When severe, Meyer said it greatly increases the risk for later postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is different than the baby blues, according to CAMH, and is a deeper depression that lasts much longer. It usually starts within the first month after childbirth (although it can occur at any time within the first year) and can last weeks to months. In more serious cases, it can develop into chronic episodes of depression.

National survey data from 2019 found 23 per cent of new mothers in Canada experienced symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety after childbirth.

Diane Francoeur, CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC), said what is interesting about the Lancet study is that it focuses on a window after a baby is born, which is typically around day five of postpartum when postpartum blues can set in.

“If you look at the baby blues, on day five, after you have your baby, this is when you get home, you realize such things like the big challenges of breastfeeding and usually the support system may dry up at this time,” she said. “The real depression sets in because this is when the chemistry’s not on your side anymore when your brain is not working.”