Postpartum Depression: The Silent Battle Many Nigerian Mothers Face After Childbirth

By Charles Maduka

A 2020 study published in the African Health Sciences journal, found that 35.6 per cent of 250 postnatal women, surveyed in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, showed symptoms of postpartum depression.

The research found that postpartum depression remains a significant maternal health challenge and identified factors such as poor social support and difficult childbirth experiences as issues associated with the condition.

Despite its impact, postpartum depression continues to receive limited attention in Nigeria, leaving many mothers struggling to understand what they are experiencing.

For Temitope Olaguju, motherhood came with an emotional battle she could not immediately explain.

After giving birth, she experienced changes in her emotions, memory, confidence, and ability to function normally. However, at the time, she did not know that what she was experiencing had a name.

“I didn’t have a name for it,” Olaguju said during an interview with Bloom Again Initiative.

“I just knew that I forget things easily. When I am trying to pick something from the pallor, I will just forget when I get there.”

She described the experience as a period of confusion and disconnection. “It’s real, and most people don’t even have a name for it. They just know that there is a disconnect between them and reality,” she said.

A difficult journey into motherhood

For Olaguju, the emotional challenges came alongside physical difficulties after childbirth.

She explained that she spent about 12 hours in labor before undergoing a Caesarean Section (CS), leaving her to recover from both the pain of labor and surgery.

“I had a very terrible delivery period. I was in labor for about 12 hours before I was taken for CS,” she said.

The recovery period affected her ability to return fully to her normal routine. When she resumed work, she struggled with anxiety about her baby’s wellbeing.

“I could not really function at work properly because I wasn’t sure what was happening to the child,” she explained.

“I was calling almost every minute to be sure that my child was fine, and it was more like I became a hyper mom.”

Beyond work, Olaguju also experienced emotional withdrawal. She explained that after childbirth, she did not feel ready for social activities or interaction with people.

“I did not do a naming ceremony for my child, even talking to anybody was a problem. I just wanted to be by myself.”

Her experience reflects a challenge faced by many mothers who suffer silently because postpartum depression is often confused with normal tiredness associated with caring for a newborn.

Understanding postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that can occur after childbirth. It is different from the short-term emotional changes often referred to as “baby blues,” which usually disappear within days.

According to the World Health Organization, depression during pregnancy and after childbirth affects many women globally and can affect both mothers and their children if left untreated.

In Nigeria, experts have raised concerns about low awareness, stigma, and inadequate attention to maternal mental health.

In an interview with PUNCH Newspapers, published on the 17^THof June, 2017, Dr Esther Akinsola, a consultant clinical psychologist and acting Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Lagos, explained that postpartum depression is a serious psychological condition that requires proper attention.

She noted that factors surrounding pregnancy and childbirth can contribute to the emotional difficulties some mothers experience after delivery.

She stressed the importance of recognizing symptoms early and ensuring that affected mothers receive appropriate support.

Similarly, Psychiatrist Margaret Ojeahere, in an interview with Premium Times Health Watch, on the 10^TH of May, 2025, discussed the need for greater awareness of postpartum depression in Nigeria.

Ojeahere explained that symptoms may include persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, poor concentration, low self-esteem, sleep difficulties, and challenges bonding with the baby.

She noted that increased awareness would help more women identify the condition and seek professional assistance.

The challenge of silence and stigma

One major barrier affecting postpartum depression awareness in Nigeria is stigma.

Many mothers fear being judged or labelled as bad parents if they admit they are struggling emotionally after childbirth.

A report by Premium Times Health Watch on postpartum depression highlighted concerns among experts that many cases remain unnoticed because women do not receive adequate information or support.

For some mothers, family members may dismiss their experiences as ordinary stress, making it harder for them to seek help.

Olaguju also experienced a lack of understanding during her difficult period.

When asked if healthcare workers encouraged her to seek help, she said:

“Not really. For them, it was normal; there was nothing exceptional.”

She explained that she later realized that many women do not talk about the challenges they experience after childbirth.

“I realized that people are not talking about it,” she said.

The need for support

For Olaguju, support remains one of the most important factors in helping mothers recover.

“Support might not be from your spouse or someone you know, but make sure you get support.”

She encouraged mothers experiencing similar challenges not to suffer alone.

“While it lasts, for you, you might not come out of it if you don’t get the support at the right time,” she said.

Health professionals have also emphasized the importance of social support in maternal mental health.

The Lagos study published in African Health Sciences identified poor social support as one of the factors associated with postpartum depression among mothers studied in Eti-Osa.

This shows that emotional support from spouses, family members, friends, and healthcare providers can play an important role in helping mothers cope after childbirth.

Improving awareness in Lagos communities

With Lagos Mainland being home to diverse communities, awareness campaigns can play an important role in helping mothers recognize postpartum depression.

Information can be shared through antenatal clinics, primary healthcare centers, radio programmers, television discussions, social media campaigns, community meetings, and religious organizations.

Healthcare workers who interact with pregnant women and new mothers also have an important role in identifying warning signs and directing affected women to appropriate care.

For Olaguju, recovery has been a gradual process, but she remains hopeful.

“I’m blooming again, and I know I’ll get better,” she said.

Her message to other mothers is that postpartum depression does not mean the end of their journey as mothers.

“Whatever it is, two years after, three years after, you will definitely bloom again,” she said.

The conversation around maternal health must therefore go beyond safe delivery and newborn care. The emotional and psychological wellbeing of mothers must also become a priority.

Postpartum depression is real, it is treatable, and mothers experiencing it should not be left to face the battle alone. With awareness, support, and access to care, more women can move from silent suffering to recovery.

This report was facilitated by the Bloom Again initiative, an initiative aimed at creating awareness about Postpartum depression amongst nursing mothers.