Postpartum Depression

Crystal Pazour

Updated August 17, 2024 18:11

My sister experienced depression after delivery, and it was hard for her. What symptoms should I look for after having my baby?

Having a new baby comes with different emotions- some wonderful and exciting, some not so great or even concerning. While breastfeeding lowers the risk of postpartum depression, any new mom can be affected.

Share your breastfeeding status with your doctor when discussing treatment options. There are many medications that are safe to take while breastfeeding.

*The information below is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

Baby Blues

This is a mild, short-term form of depression that can occur after giving birth. Over half of new moms experience baby blues. Symptoms range from several days up to 1-2 weeks after the baby is born but usually go away without treatment. Ask for help and support from loved ones and talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing. Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more information.

Possible Symptoms:

- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Crying
- Reduced concentration
- Appetite problems
- Trouble sleeping

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Postpartum Depression

This is a more serious version of depression that occurs after giving birth. It is estimated 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression (PPD), which is longer lasting and more severe than baby blues. Struggling with PPD is NOT a sign of weakness or character flaw; it is a complication of giving birth. Seeking help from your support system and your doctor is very important. Treatment may be necessary and if left untreated, symptoms may last for several months. Having a history of depression or PPD with a previous child increases your risk of experiencing it again, but there are many possible causes. Click here for more information.

Possible Causes:

- Hormonal & physical changes
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress
- Emotional triggers (complications during childbirth, feeling overwhelmed)
- Financial worries
- Changes in family dynamics

Possible Symptoms:

- Depressed mood/severe mood swings
- Crying too much
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Changes in eating habits (eating too much/not enough)
- Unusual sleep changes (not able to sleep/sleep too much)
- Overwhelming tiredness/loss of energy
- Less interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that you're not a good mother
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, shame, guilt or not being good enough
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, or making decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Thoughts of death or suicide

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Postpartum Anxiety

According to Cleveland Clinic, this occurs when a mom experiences severe anxiety after giving birth. Studies estimate that postpartum anxiety occurs in 11-21% of women. These overwhelming, anxious feelings are often uncontrollable and consuming. While some amount of worry is normal, postpartum anxiety is extreme and may last all day and night. A history of depression/anxiety can increase your risk of postpartum anxiety. Personality type, previous loss of a child or miscarriage, having a child with health conditions, and not having a support system are other risk factors. Talk to your doctor. Do not suffer in silence!

Possible Causes:

- Change in hormones after delivery
- Lack of sleep
- Overwhelming feelings of responsibility/needing to protect your baby
- Stressful events: issues with breastfeeding, a difficult pregnancy or stressful delivery

Even though postpartum anxiety is different from PPD, they share symptoms, and it is possible a mother can suffer from both.

Possible Symptoms:

- Disrupted sleep
- Increased heart rate/palpitations
- Nausea or stomach aches
- Feeling short of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sitting still/focusing
- Muscle tension
- Racing/obsessive thoughts, especially about worst-case scenarios or things that are unlikely to happen
- Forgetful
- Irritable
- Feeling on edge or fearing your baby is in constant danger
- Avoiding certain activities, people, or places
- Being overly cautious/checking things multiple times
- Being controlling/not leaving baby alone (even in a safe place or with a trusted family member)

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Postpartum Psychosis (PPP)

According to Cleveland Clinic, postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a mental health emergency that can affect mothers from a few days to six weeks after giving birth. This is a rare condition, occurring in less than 0.26% of cases. It affects how a mother views reality and can lead to hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and changes in behavior. In severe cases, a mom with PPP might harm herself or her baby. However, it is treatable, so seek help from your doctor early.

Possible Causes/Risk Factors:

- Personal or family history of various mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and PPP. Mothers with a history of PPP are at increased risk of it happening again.
- The number of pregnancies a mom has had. PPP is more common in first-time moms.
- Sleep deprivation.
- Hormone changes.
- Other medical conditions, some of which can occur during or right after giving birth.

Possible Symptoms:

- Hallucinations, resulting in the inability to tell the difference between what is real and what is not real.
- Delusions, resulting in false beliefs that they strongly believe are true.
- Mania, resulting in hyperactivity, irritability, disruptive behavior, or sleeping less.
- Depression, resulting in anxiety, panic, feelings of guilt, or loss of appetite.
- Disconnection or detachment from yourself, resulting in an “out-of-body experience”.
- Chaotic thinking or behavior.
- The inability to sleep.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others (especially their newborn).

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Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

The perinatal period refers to the time around childbirth, especially 5 months before delivery and 1 month after delivery. Perinatal OCD is a mental health condition that can affect both pregnant women (7.8% of the time) and postpartum mothers (16.9% of the time). It causes repetitive, unwanted thoughts and strong, unreasonable urges to act in certain ways. In most cases, this condition is triggered by a mother’s fear that something bad will happen to her baby, and mothers rarely act on these thoughts. This is a treatable condition. Please share any symptoms with your doctor.

Possible Causes/Risk Factors:

- Having a diagnosis of OCD
- Family history of anxiety or OCD

Possible Symptoms:

- Obsessive, interruptive thoughts or mental images that do not go away. They usually have something to do with the baby and are very disturbing, strange, and not likely to be acted on.
- Compulsions—doing certain things over and over (like cleaning constantly or checking things several times) in an attempt to reduce fears and obsessions.
- Fear of being alone with baby.
- Excessive nervousness about the need to protect baby.

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Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Postpartum PTSD is a mental health condition affecting between 3 and 7 percent of women after giving birth and is similar to other types of PTSD. It causes a sense of panic and the feeling of being in constant danger. Having a traumatic experience that occurs during the pregnancy or during or after delivery can trigger this condition. Share any symptoms with your doctor and discuss treatment options.

Possible Causes/Risk Factors:

- Having a difficult, long, and painful labor or birth experience
- The use of interventions (like forceps or vacuum) on baby during delivery
- Needing an emergency C-section
- A danger to the health of the mother or baby during pregnancy or childbirth
- Baby needing to be in the NICU
- Lacking support and proper communication between mom and hospital staff during delivery, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair
- A history of trauma or a history of PTSD
- Suffering from anxiety or depression

Possible Symptoms:

- Constantly re-experiencing the trauma in an uncontrollable way (flashbacks, nightmares, or memories)
- Being easily reminded of the trauma when triggered
- Purposely avoiding triggers, like certain people or places
- Feeling constantly on edge and watchful of potential threats or danger
- Exaggerated reactions to potential dangers (like being overly startled by noises or being touched)
- Feeling disconnected from reality and isolated from people
- Experiencing anxiety and panic attacks that come out of nowhere
- Easily forgetting and remembering things
- Difficulty sleeping