Physical factors

• Severe hormonal changes after giving birth
• hyroid dysfunction
• biochemical changes caused by sleepless nights
• pre-existing mental disorders
• genetic disposition

Peripartal factors

• Long wait to get pregnant
• preceding miscarriage
• unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
• pregnancy complications
• uncertainty during prenatal care
• depression during pregnancy
• traumatic, extremely painful and/or long-winded childbirth experience
• emergency caesarean section
• unsettled or insensitive birth environment
• premature birth
• ill or stillborn child
• breastfeeding difficulties
• abrupt and/or involuntary ablactating
• intake of certain ablactating drugs

Psychic factors

• Moving on from pregnancy
• moving on from the idea of the “perfect baby”
• moving on from one’s own childhood
• personal limitations
• identity crisis
• loss of independence
• loss of freedom and self-determination
• perfectionism
• loss of control
• traumatic experiences before and after pregnancy and birth
• stress factors such as moving house, financial and/or social problems
• relationship problems
• traumatic experiences in childhood
• life experiences that have resurfaced as a result of giving birth

Social factors

• Idealised image of the mother in literature and advertising
• demanding babies that need a lot of care
• coming to terms with the new role as mother
• lack of support from partner and social environment
• changed relationship with partner
• changed relationship with existing children
• changed relationship with parents and in-laws
• loss of old friends (who are not parents)
• the disappearance of extended families and their support
• patriarchal form of society with low social and material security for mothers