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Download our English and Spanish health action sheets on birth spacing. To download this health action sheet, enter your email in the box below. In This Topic. PPD can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and your baby. If you have signs or symptoms of PPD, talk to your provider about treatment.
What is postpartum depression? Is PPD the same as the baby blues? What are the signs and symptoms of PPD? Signs and symptoms of PPD include: Changes in your feelings: Feeling depressed most of the day every day Feeling shame, guilt or like a failure Feeling panicked or scared a lot of the time Having severe mood swings Changes in your everyday life: Having little interest in things you normally like to do Feeling tired all the time Eating a lot more or a lot less than is normal for you Gaining or losing weight Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much Having trouble concentrating or making decisions Changes in how you think about yourself or your baby: Having trouble bonding with your baby Thinking about hurting yourself or your baby Thinking about suicide killing yourself If you think you have signs or symptoms of PPD, call your health care provider right away.
Can PPD affect your baby? If PPD is untreated: You may skip your postpartum checkups and not follow instructions from your health care provider. You may find it hard to bond with your baby. Your baby may not breastfeed long.
PPD may make it hard for you and your baby to get used to breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best food for your baby through the first year of life. Your baby may not get medical care he needs. You may not see health problems in your baby that need quick attention and care. It may be hard for you to get your baby regular well-baby care , like vaccinations. Vaccinations help protect your baby from harmful infections. Your baby may have learning, behavior and development problems and mental health conditions later in life.
What causes PPD? Possible causes include: Genes. Genes are passed from parents to children. Depression is more common is people whose family members have depression. This is called a family history of depression. It may take 3—4 weeks of taking the medication before you start to feel better.
Antidepressants can cause side effects, but most are temporary and go away after a short time. If you have severe or unusual side effects that get in the way of your normal daily habits, notify your ob-gyn or other health care professional.
You may need to try another type of antidepressant. If your depression worsens soon after starting medication or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or others, contact your health care professional or emergency medical services right away. If a woman takes antidepressants, they can be transferred to her baby during breastfeeding. The levels found in breast milk generally are very low. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both you and your baby.
Deciding to take an antidepressant while breastfeeding involves weighing these benefits against the potential risks of your baby being exposed to the medication in your breast milk.
It is best to discuss this decision with your ob-gyn or other health care professional. In talk therapy also called psychotherapy , you and a mental health professional talk about your feelings and discuss how to manage them. Sometimes, therapy is needed for only a few weeks, but it may be needed for a few months or longer. You may have one-on-one therapy with just you and the therapist or group therapy where you meet with a therapist and other people with problems similar to yours.
Another option is family or couples therapy, in which you and your family members or your partner may work with a therapist. If you have a history of depression at any time in your life or if you are taking an antidepressant, tell your ob-gyn or other health care professional early in your prenatal care.
Ideally, you should tell him or her before you become pregnant. He or she may suggest that you begin treatment right after you give birth to prevent postpartum depression. If you were taking antidepressants before pregnancy, your ob-gyn or other health care professional can assess your situation and help you decide whether to continue taking medication during your pregnancy.
Support groups can be found at local hospitals, family planning clinics, or community centers. While there is no specific diagnostic test for peripartum depression, it is a real illness that should be taken seriously. Any pregnant woman or new mother who experiences the symptoms of peripartum depression should seek evaluation by a medical professional — an internal medicine doctor or an OB-GYN, who can make referrals to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
Assessment should include a psychiatric evaluation and a medical evaluation to rule out physical problems that may have symptoms similar to depression such as thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies. Women are at increased risk of depression during or after pregnancy if they have previously experienced or have a family history of depression or other mood disorders, if they are experiencing particularly stressful life events in addition to the pregnancy, or if they do not have the support of family and friends.
Research suggests that rapid changes in sex and stress hormones and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and after delivery have a strong effect on moods and may contribute to peripartum depression. Other factors include physical changes related to pregnancy, changes in relationships and at work, worries about parenting and lack of sleep. New fathers can also experience symptoms of peripartum depression.
Symptoms may include fatigue and changes in eating or sleeping. Younger fathers, those with a history of depression and fathers with financial difficulties are at increased risk of experiencing depression. Many women may suffer in silence, dismissing their struggles as a normal part of pregnancy and childbirth and fail to seek care.
Treatment for depression during pregnancy is essential. Greater awareness and understanding can lead to better outcomes for women and their babies. Like other types of depression, peripartum depression can be managed with psychotherapy talk therapy , medication, lifestyle changes and supportive environment or a combination of these. Women who are pregnant or nursing should discuss the risks and benefits of medication with their doctors.
In general, the risk of birth defects to the unborn baby are low. APA guidelines for treating women with major depressive disorder who are pregnant or breastfeeding recommend psychotherapy without medication as a first-line treatment when the depression or anxiety is mild. For women with moderate or severe depression or anxiety, antidepressant medication should be considered as a primary treatment. With proper treatment, most new mothers find relief from their symptoms.
Women who are treated for peripartum depression should continue treatment even after they feel better. If treatment is stopped too soon, symptoms can recur. Other suggestions for helping to cope with peripartum depression include resting as much as you can sleep when your baby sleeps and make time to go out or visit friends. Strong support from partners, family and friends is very important. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK for free and confidential emotional support—they talk about more than just suicide.
Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Postpartum depression. Postpartum depression Your body and mind go through many changes during and after pregnancy.
What is postpartum depression? How common is postpartum depression? How do I know if I have postpartum depression?
What causes postpartum depression? Other feelings may contribute to postpartum depression. Many new mothers say they feel: Tired after labor and delivery Tired from a lack of sleep or broken sleep Overwhelmed with a new baby Doubts about their ability to be a good mother Stress from changes in work and home routines An unrealistic need to be a perfect mom Grief about loss of who they were before having the baby Less attractive A lack of free time These feelings are common among new mothers.
Are some women more at risk of postpartum depression? You may be more at risk of postpartum depression if you: 3 Have a personal history of depression or bipolar disorder Have a family history of depression or bipolar disorder Do not have support from family and friends Were depressed during pregnancy Had problems with a previous pregnancy or birth Have relationship or money problems Are younger than 20 Have alcoholism, use illegal drugs, or have some other problem with drugs Have a baby with special needs Have difficulty breastfeeding Had an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy The U.
If you have the baby blues, you may: Have mood swings Feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed Have crying spells Lose your appetite Have trouble sleeping The baby blues usually go away in 3 to 5 days after they start.
What is postpartum psychosis? What should I do if I have symptoms of postpartum depression? What can I do at home to feel better while seeing a doctor for postpartum depression? Here are some ways to begin feeling better or getting more rest, in addition to talking to a health care professional: Rest as much as you can.
Sleep when the baby is sleeping. Ask your partner, family, and friends for help. Make time to go out, visit friends, or spend time alone with your partner.
Talk about your feelings with your partner, supportive family members, and friends. Talk with other mothers so that you can learn from their experiences.
Join a support group. Ask your doctor or nurse about groups in your area. More major life changes in addition to a new baby can cause unneeded stress.
When that happens, try to arrange support and help in your new situation ahead of time. How is postpartum depression treated? The common types of treatment for postpartum depression are: Therapy. During therapy, you talk to a therapist, psychologist, or social worker to learn strategies to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act. Electroconvulsive therapy ECT.
This can be used in extreme cases to treat postpartum depression. What can happen if postpartum depression is not treated? Untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent. You may: Not have enough energy Have trouble focusing on the baby's needs and your own needs Feel moody Not be able to care for your baby Have a higher risk of attempting suicide Feeling like a bad mother can make depression worse.
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