After having a baby, many women experience bouts of sadness or crying starting in the first several days after giving birth. If these feelings get worse or persist beyond two weeks, you may be experiencing signs of postpartum depression, a condition characterized by severe mood swings, hopelessness, and fatigue. Untreated postpartum depression can challenge your ability to tend to you and your baby’s needs, but with the help of your doctor, you can find a therapeutic or medicinal treatment regimen that works for you.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression occurs in about 15% (1 in 7)1,2 to 20% (1 in 5)3 of births. Symptoms typically present within the first few weeks after birth, but can begin during pregnancy or up to a year after birth.4 It is common to feel exhaustion, fatigue, and fluctuations in mood after delivering a baby, but the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are more intense. If left unchecked they can even interfere with daily tasks and functioning,1 making it difficult to complete household chores and tend to yourself and your baby.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Anger and irritability
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Excessive or unexplained crying
- Extreme worry or feeling out of control
- Difficulty sleeping but feeling exhausted
- Reduced interest or pleasure in things you enjoy
- Feeling apathetic, flat, or empty
- Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
- A sense of “this wasn’t what I expected”
- Feeling worthless, guilty, shameful, or inadequate
- Difficulty making decisions, thinking clearly, or remembering things
- Sleeping and eating too much or not enough
- Withdrawing from others
- Intrusive thoughts, such as hurting yourself or your baby, or thoughts about your baby being seriously harmed
If you have any of the above signs or symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, make an appointment to speak with your medical provider. Some women feel a sense of stigma surrounding their postpartum depression because they are struggling during what is considered to be a happy time. The reality is, the time after having a newborn is stressful, and feeling depressed after having your baby is nothing to be ashamed about.
Postpartum Depression Symptoms in New Fathers
New fathers are sometimes impacted by paternal postpartum depression,4 a condition that presents very similarly to what is experienced by new mothers. Symptoms typically begin soon after the baby is born, and include feeling overwhelmed or sad, experiencing fatigue or anxiety, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
A new father is at a higher risk for postpartum depression if he is young, having relationship or financial issues, has a prior history of depression, and if the new mother is depressed.4 If you believe you are affected by paternal postpartum depression, there are treatments available. Reach out to your doctor or health care provider to find appropriate services in your area.
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is much more than just feeling sad, and yet it is also not always the extreme cases portrayed in the media. Some women may not even recognize they are experiencing postpartum depression. However, it is a serious condition that affects your physical and emotional health.5 If you have signs of postpartum depression, take your symptoms seriously, no matter how many you have or how intense they are.
Postpartum Depression vs The Baby Blues
Within days after having a baby many women experience a sense of sadness, known as the baby blues. These feelings are usually attributed to the hormonal changes after childbirth and are completely normal.1,3 About 80% of women experience the baby blues, starting within the first two or three days after birth and lasting for up to two weeks.1,4
Signs of the baby blues include the following:4
- Mood swings
- Crying episodes
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Feeling overwhelmed or irritable
- Difficulty sleeping and eating
- Difficulty concentrating
Postpartum Depression vs Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a rare and severe form of postpartum depression that affects 4 out of every 1,000 births.5 The signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis can be severe and may require immediate intervention or treatment.
Signs and symptoms include:4,6
- Confusion or disorientation
- Excessive energy or agitation
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Paranoia or obsessive thoughts
- Bizarre or reckless behavior
- Thoughts or attempts to harm your baby
- Thoughts or attempts of suicide
If you have thoughts or urges to harm yourself or your baby, do not wait to seek help. If in the US, immediately call 911 or your local emergency assistance number. Another valuable resource is The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24-hour, confidential suicide prevention hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK.7
If you are not in imminent danger but struggle with suicidal thoughts, you can seek help from your doctor or medical provider, a mental health clinician or psychiatrist, or confide in a trusted friend or family member.4
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression can happen after the birth of any child and is caused by an interconnected mix of complex physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors.1,4,5
Hormones
One of the main contributors to postpartum depression is hormones. During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of the estrogen and progesterone hormones. Soon after giving birth, these hormone levels rapidly drop back down to normal, pre-pregnancy levels and the brain must suddenly adapt. This shift is a huge component of postpartum depression.3 Your thyroid produces other hormones that may drop after childbirth, leaving you feeling depressed, tired, and fatigued.
Physical and Emotional Changes
Your body and mind go through many changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. These changes are normal but can be challenging, particularly if the changes are not what you are expecting, or you have complications of some sort.
- Social factors: Relationship problems, financial burdens, a weak support system, and difficult life circumstances, such as illness or job loss, can make the adjustment after having a baby more difficult.
- Added stress: Having a newborn is exciting, but it comes with many adjustments. Different home and work routines, sleep deprivation, and feeling isolated from others may create added stress during what is already a tumultuous time.
What Increases the Risk of Postpartum Depression?
A history of postpartum depression can increase your vulnerability by as much as 30-50% and is the most significant risk factor.6 However, there are several other factors that may increase your risk of postpartum depression.
Other factors that increase your chance of experiencing postpartum depression include:3,4
- History of major depression or bipolar disorder
- Family history of depression
- Multiple births (twins or triplets, etc.)
- Challenges with breastfeeding
- Financial or relationship problems
- Young age
- The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted
- Weak or no support system
Prevention of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is largely influenced by hormonal factors, but there are still things you can do to reduce your risk or intensity of symptoms, including prioritizing your own health, informing your doctor of any changes you are experiencing, setting realistic expectations, and more.
Prioritize Your Physical and Emotional Health
Even before or during pregnancy, consuming adequate nutrition, staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, and engaging in self-care are all important to you and your baby’s health. Maintaining these habits can also help you reduce your likelihood of developing postpartum depression after the birth of your baby.8,9
Keep Your Doctor Informed
If you have a history of major depression or have experienced postpartum depression from a prior pregnancy, make sure your doctor is aware. They can monitor for signs and symptoms of depression throughout your pregnancy and after. You can also preemptively schedule a postpartum checkup for after childbirth to assess for signs of depression.4 Even without a history of postpartum depression, be sure to be transparent with your doctor if you exhibit any signs or symptoms, as early intervention is best.
Prepare Yourself With Realistic Expectations
Motherhood undoubtedly comes with many rewards and moments of splendor and joy. But the adjustment to motherhood often means accepting changes to your lifestyle, body, emotions, and time. Having realistic expectations about how your life will be transformed after your new arrival will prepare you for what to expect, and minimize any potential feelings of letdown.8
Create a Support Network
If you have friends or loved ones who are willing to help during your pregnancy or after the birth of your baby, let them help. It does not make you a bad mother to let someone else help care for your baby, nor does it make you selfish to take time for yourself. Embrace the support that you find in other people around you.
Seek Assistance from a Professional
A counselor or other mental health professional can assist you before, during, or after pregnancy. You will develop your own personalized treatment plan with your provider, but the goals you set with a counselor may include:
- Helping you monitor or reduce any symptoms of depression or anxiety
- Regaining a sense of control over your life
- Increasing self-confidence about your skills as a mother
- Feeling more attractive post-baby
- Exploring your identity after having a baby
When & How to Get Help for Postpartum Depression
You may find yourself hesitating to seek help because you are feeling embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed. Postpartum depression is not a reflection of you as a mother and is nothing to be ashamed of. Seek assistance as soon as you recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can ensure your treatment is swift and effective. If you have a history of major depression or postpartum depression, tell your doctor early so they can help you monitor for symptoms.
Untreated postpartum depression can impede your ability to care for yourself and your baby. It can also create difficulty for how well you connect or bond with your baby. You may find that you are tired and have little energy, have difficulty focusing on your baby’s needs, and are frequently moody.5
Left untreated, postpartum depression may turn into a chronic depressive disorder if symptoms get worse1,4 and may even increase your risk of attempting suicide.5 Ultimately, it is better to err on the side of caution and get checked by your healthcare provider if something feels off, rather than minimizing what may develop into a very serious condition.
When to Seek Treatment
Call your doctor if you are experiencing signs and symptoms of depression with any of these features:4
- Symptoms persist beyond two weeks
- Symptoms are less than 2 weeks but rapidly worsening
- Your symptoms are getting worse
- Your symptoms make it difficult to tend to your baby
- You find daily tasks such as eating or bathing difficult to complete
- You have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Postpartum Depression Treatments
Postpartum depression can ultimately be managed, although treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of each woman. Some women can reduce their symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes to their eating, sleeping, and activity levels.
Other women find mental health services or support groups for postpartum depression to be helpful for learning coping tools and building connections. For others, medical intervention such as antidepressant medication or hormone therapy is necessary. The right treatment should be determined in conjunction with your doctor and other health care professionals.
Further treatments available for postpartum depression include:
- Medication: Antidepressant medication influences the chemicals in our brains that regulate mood. After starting a medication regimen, it can take up to several weeks to notice a change in your mood. Be sure to communicate any side effects or concerns to your prescribing doctor and consult with them before choosing to stop treatment.1
- Psychotherapy: A psychologist, counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist can provide various forms of evaluation and psychotherapy. Therapy can help you identify triggers for anxiety or sadness, increase your knowledge and use of coping strategies, and help you discover ways to increase personal support.
- Hormone therapy: If estrogen levels are low, hormone therapy may be a successful treatment option for women with postpartum depression.10 This type of treatment is typically pursued after antidepressants or other treatments have been unsuccessful.
- Self-care: Engage in activities and practices that make you feel good about yourself and your body. Remember that it is not selfish for you to prioritize your own needs and mental health.
It is likely that you will find the best approach to be a combination of treatments that can specifically target the areas with which you need help. Talk with your doctor, medical provider, or mental health counselor to develop an individualized treatment plan that is right for you.
Do’s and Don’ts for Postpartum Depression
Ultimately, what is right for one woman will be different from another regarding how she handles and manages her postpartum depression. The following list provides a general guide for healthy practices to follow and others which you may want to avoid.
Do:
- Prioritize self-care. Tend to your physical and emotional health in the same way you would care for a friend or loved one.
- Practice stress reduction exercises, such as breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, and guided imagery.9 Using calming exercises such as these can help you minimize symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Accept help from friends and loved ones. If they are willing to help you shoulder the weight of being a new mother, let them. Be sure to also communicate your needs to those around you.
- Make efforts to bond with your baby. Mothers with postpartum depression are more inconsistent and interact less with their babies.6 Bonding with your baby will help you be more responsive to each other and form secure attachment.
- Attend a local support group or mommy/baby group. You can make social connections and find support in other women who are going through a similar experience. If you are comfortable, share your story with other women.
- Reach out for professional help. Remember it is in your baby’s best interest to take care of yourself while adjusting to this new phase of life.
Do not:
- Wait to get treatment. Early intervention is best.
- Drink alcohol.1 Alcohol is a depressant and may make symptoms worse.
- Overschedule yourself or take on more than you can handle.
- Go against the medical advice of your doctor. Consult with your doctor before changing or stopping medication.
- Expect perfection. You are human and have done nothing wrong. Be kind to yourself and do things that make you happy and feel good about yourself.
