Women who face emotional and mental stress before, during or right after pregnancy may be at a greater risk of developing postpartum depression.

The chart reveals that out of all women surveyed, there were more instances of postpartum depression among the women who lived in cities.

The percentages of new mothers who had a risk of screening positive for postpartum depression are displayed below. The study surveyedВ 6,126 new mothers living in CanadaвЂ™s metropolitan cities, suburbs, towns, farming communities and very remote areas. This is largely due to the fact that many women living in larger cities have lower levels of social support. Environmental Risk FactorsДЄ recent study fromВ the Canadian Medical Association Journal revealed that women who live in big cities have the highest rates of PPD. These genetic alterations were discovered through blood tests. According to Johns Hopkins researchers, there are possibly two different genetic alterations that, when present during pregnancy, may predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression. Recent studies have shown that there is a possible genetic factor in developing postpartum depression. Women who have experienced postpartum depression in previous childbirths are also much more likely to experience it again. Those who have struggled with mood disorders like depression or anxiety or more significant mental illnesses like bipolar disorder are 30% to 35% more likely to face postpartum depression in their lifetime. Women with one or more family members who have suffered from postpartum depression have a greater risk of developing it as well. Other risk factors include a combination of emotional, physical and psychological health issues. Risk factors that may contribute to postpartum depression include genetics and environmental, emotional and physical influences. Postpartum Depression Risk FactorsД«ecause it is difficult to identify any one particular cause of postpartum depression, it is better to isolate certain factors that put woman at a greater risk of developing PPD. These types of emotional situations may include complications faced during childbirth, as well as general feelings of being overwhelmed by new motherhood. In addition to hormonal changes and sleep deprivation, there are other emotional triggers that can cause postpartum depression. Emotional Causes of Postpartum Depression Without proper and consistent sleep, women may start to exhibit signs of postpartum depression. A lack of sleep can greatly impact how a woman functions, feels and handles situations. Following childbirth, women often do not get enough sleep due to their new responsibilities caring for their child. Sleep deprivation may also play a large role in causing postpartum depression. However, many non-depressed women experience the same drop in hormones and have the same estrogen levels as women who do have PPD. This is thought to trigger emotional repercussions. Decreased estrogen and progesterone levels place the body into a sudden hormonal shift.

It is most commonly believed that postpartum depression stems from the drastic hormonal changes that take place during and after childbirth. Potential causes include genetic predispositions, the motherвЂ™s health history and countless other environmental, physical and emotional factors. There are many causes of postpartum depression in women. In other words, it is never the motherвЂ™s fault that postpartum depression develops. It is vital for women suffering from postpartum depression to understand that it is not the result of something she did or did not do. This can make it even more confusing and challenging for those suffering from this crippling condition. In some cases, itвЂ™s unclear as to why and how a woman developed postpartum depression. Each woman who develops postpartum depression has her own set of risk factors that made her more susceptible to its development. Instead, it is believed that postpartum depression can have multiple causes. Therefore, it is difficult to attribute this condition to one unique cause. It has many different forms and symptoms, and it affects women in different ways. Postpartum depression is a mental and emotional health condition that affects women after childbirth.

Postpartum hormones