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DEPRESSION IN PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM
Find compassionate guidance, trusted resources, and professional support to help you navigate pregnancy and postpartum depression with confidence, hope, healing, personalized care, practical tools, every day.
PERINATAL DEPRESSION FACTS
WHAT IS PRENATAL OR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
Depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy, within a year after childbirth, miscarriage, or infant loss. Depression in pregnancy is called prenatal depression, while depression after giving birth is called postpartum depression or PPD. Women with depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to take care of themselves or others.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION IN PERINATAL WOMEN?
Prenatal or postpartum depression does not have a single cause, but likely results from a combination of physical and emotional factors. Depression does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do.
After childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly drop. This leads to chemical changes in her brain that may trigger mood swings. In addition, many mothers are unable to get the rest they need to fully recover from giving birth. Constant sleep deprivation can lead to physical discomfort and exhaustion, which can contribute to the symptoms of postpartum depression.
COMPASSIONATE CARE & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
PPD is a mood disorder characterized by a cluster of symptoms (which are present most of the time during a period of at least two weeks) which can include:
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Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed.
Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason.
Worrying or feeling overly anxious.
Feeling moody, irritable, or restless.
Oversleeping, or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep.
Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions.
Experiencing anger or rage.
Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable.
Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems, and muscle pain.
Eating too little or too much.
Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family.
Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby.
Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby.
IN THEIR WORDS
WHAT DOES POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION FEEL LIKE?
Parents describe it to us like this. If any of these sound like your inner voice, you deserve support.
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“It feels scary.”
“It feels like I’m never going to feel like myself again.”
“It feels like no one understands.”
“It feels like I’m a bad mother.”
“It feels like I can't get anything done.”
“It feels like I have no patience for anything anymore.”
“It feels like I’m going crazy.”
“It feels like I will always feel like this.”
“It feels out of control.”
“It feels like a day will never end.”
“It feels like my marriage cannot survive this.”
“It feels like I’m a failure.”
“It feels like I should never have had this baby.”
“It feels like if I could only get a good night's sleep, everything would be better.”
“It feels like I can't stop yelling.”
COMPASSIONATE CARE & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
HOW IS DEPRESSION DIFFERENT FROM THE “BABY BLUES”?
The “baby blues” is a term used to describe the feelings of worry, unhappiness, and fatigue that many women experience after having a baby. Babies require a lot of care, so it’s normal for mothers to be worried about, or tired from, providing that care. Baby blues, which affect up to 80 percent of mothers, includes feelings that are somewhat mild, last a week or two, and go away on their own.
With postpartum depression, feelings of sadness and anxiety can be extreme and might interfere with a woman’s ability to care for herself or her family. Because of the severity of the symptoms, postpartum depression usually requires treatment. The condition, which occurs in nearly 25 percent of expectant and new mothers, may begin before or any time after childbirth, but commonly begins between a week and a month after delivery.
BABY BLUES
Affects up to 80% of mothers.
Feelings are somewhat mild.
Lasts a week or two.
Goes away on its own.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Occurs in nearly 25% of expectant and new mothers
May begin before birth or any time after — often 1 week to 1 month after delivery
Sadness and anxiety can be extreme
Usually requires treatment
RISK FACTORS
ARE SOME WOMEN MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE PERINATAL DEPRESSION?
PPD is a condition that results from a combination of biological, hormonal, environmental, and psychological factors. It is most often influenced by a number of risk factors, some of which may include:
Symptoms of depression during or after a previous pregnancy.
A family member who has been diagnosed with depression or other mental illness.
Medical complications during pregnancy or childbirth, including miscarriage or premature delivery or having a baby with medical problems.
A lack of strong emotional support from her spouse, partner, family, or friends.
Chronic sleep deprivation.
Perceived loss of control.
Previous experience with depression or bipolar disorder at another time in her life.
A stressful life event during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth, such as job loss, death of a loved one, domestic violence, or personal illness.
Mixed feelings about the pregnancy, whether it was planned or unplanned.
Alcohol or other drug abuse problems.
Lack of social support, environmental stressors.
“Don't delay treatment; the longer you wait, the harder it is to treat.”
DEPRESSION CAN AFFECT ANY MOTHER
It’s important to note that PPD can strike women with no risk factors, too. It is not fully understood why it happens to some women and not to others, but we do know exactly what to do to treat it. For each woman with PPD, the combination of factors that cause it is unique. In addition, depression can affect any woman regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status.
Only a health care provider can diagnose postpartum depression. Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor, or your state or county mental health authority — and contact the PPSC SupportLine to find out what services and supports are available in your community.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PERINATAL DEPRESSION
Find clear answers to common questions about perinatal depression, including symptoms, treatment, recovery, support options, and when to seek help.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PERINATAL DEPRESSION
Don't be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step. Support at PPSC is free, in English and Spanish, with no insurance, income or immigration requirements.
Call or text (415) 300-0347 — 7 days a week. In an emergency call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.