Pakistan has the highest rate (63.3%) of women suffering from postpartum depression among Asian countries.

Postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis are serious conditions. Many mothers experiencing these issues feel embarrassed and ashamed, believing they should be at their happiest. Hormonal changes play a significant role. It is crucial to understand that feeling less than ecstatic after childbirth and for more than a year is normal.

Lack of awareness exacerbates these problems. In undereducated communities, like much of Pakistan, young mothers, often just barely adults and giving birth frequently, face significant challenges without adequate support systems to recognize their struggles.

Moreover, a woman’s spinal cord undergoes lasting changes post-childbirth. Ignoring lower back pain during pregnancy and postpartum can lead to a weakened spine in later years.

In many countries, marriage counseling is available to support couples. However, in Pakistan, the common refrain is, “Ek bacha kar lo, sab theek ho jaega” (Have a child, everything will be fine). Other countries offer maternity leave, while in Pakistan, the solution often suggested is, “Amma ke han bhej do chillay ke liye” (Send her to her mother’s for postpartum recovery). Awareness and acceptance of postpartum depression are common abroad, but in Pakistan, it is often dismissed with remarks like, “Dekho kaisi na-shukri kar rahi hai” (Look how ungrateful she is).

These stigmas must be addressed, especially in rural areas of Pakistan. Many women never receive proper rest after childbirth, and antenatal check-ups are rare. Most are unaware of the complications pregnancy imposes on their bodies and the impact of postpartum conditions.

The women of Pakistan are extraordinarily resilient. They endure immense pressure from husbands and in-laws to bear children, often driven by the desire for a male child. Contraception requires the husband’s consent, and hormonal contraceptives can disrupt menstrual cycles, causing fear and affecting daily life. In contrast, vasectomy is safe and reversible, but this option is seldom discussed.

Do not generalize or demonize the entire female population of Pakistan without understanding their circumstances. Have some sympathy and awareness.

Postpartum depression is a severe condition, yet in Pakistan, cesarean sections are often rushed for financial gain.

These are the facts. I urge you to set aside your ego and seek more knowledge on this critical issue.