Postpartum Depression
The birth of a baby often brings feelings of
joy. New mothers may also feel anxious,
worried, and sad. It is also normal to feel
overwhelmed. There are changes and
stresses that come with being a parent. It is
helpful to learn about ways to cope with
these feelings. Learning to cope improves
the lifelong health of the mother and helps
you relate better with the baby. Feelings
after giving birth run from the blues to
severe depression. The milder forms are the
most common.
Depressive Symptoms in the Postpartum
Period
Postpartum Blues
Up to 80% of women may experience
postpartum (after delivery) blues. Most
times, this begins 4-5 days after delivery.
Symptoms include feeling weepy, joyful,
scared, excited, anxious, irritable and/or
lonely. Women can have changes in eating,
trouble with concentration, and sleeping.
The symptoms lessen over a two-week time
frame. Postpartum blues often does not
require treatment. If symptoms persist over
two weeks, call a doctor or nurse/midwife.
Postpartum Depression
This occurs for about 9-16% of new
mothers. Symptoms begin one to four
months after having the baby. A small
number of women may feel the onset of
postpartum depression five to twelve months
after birth.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
include:
• Feeling sad, teary or down most of
the day
• Loss of pleasure in previously
enjoyable activities
• Trouble sleeping, even when baby is
asleep
• Trouble eating, needing to be
reminded to eat, or marked
overeating
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down
• Lack of energy
• Low self-worth or feelings of guilt
• Trouble focusing or making small
decisions
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or your
baby (this is different than worry that
you will accidentally harm your
baby)
• Anxiety symptoms may also go
along with postpartum depression.
These may include: excessive
anxiety or worry, irritability, panic
attacks or fears that prevent you from
doing normal daily activities such as
taking the baby in the car.
If you have any of these symptoms, please
contact your doctor or nurse-midwife.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression
Any new mother can have depression after
giving birth. There are certain risk factors
though that increase your chance of
postpartum depression:
• Depression, anxiety or other
psychiatric illness in the past
• Family history of depression, anxiety
or other mental health issues
• Difficult pregnancy or unplanned
Cesarean-birth
• Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
• Marital/relationship problems
• Major lack of sleep
• History of abuse or neglect
• Loss of a loved one in the past year
• Infant with health problems
• A fussy or colicky baby
• Trouble with breastfeeding
• Isolation
• Multiple birth or more than 2
children under five years old
• Lack of social support
• Past miscarriages, abortion, or other
losses
Coping and Treatment for Postpartum
Depression
Postpartum depression can be treated with
medicine and/or therapy. Self-help strategies
include:
• Go outside (with and without the
baby) when the weather permits.
• Talk with adults every day.
• Find an exercise or daily movement
that you enjoy.
• Take time out for you every day.
• Enlist the help of your partner. Take
turns getting up at night to care for
the baby.
• Talk over your concerns with your
partner. Ask for respite and support.
• Eat healthy food.
• Join a support group for new parents.
Find new mothers to spend time
with.
• Postpartum depression will often
resolve within six months. If left
untreated it can endure for up to two
years or become a chronic
depression.
If self-help does not help your mood, it may
be a sign that you need professional help.
There are many people who can help. Your
nurse-midwife, doctor, therapists,
psychiatrists, and clergy can help you.
Asking for help is the best thing you can do
for you and your baby.
Postpartum Psychosis
This is rare, occurring in about 1 in 1000
women usually within the first two weeks
after giving birth. Symptoms include
• Severe agitation
• Major lack of sleep for more than
one night
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing
things that others do not)
• Bizarre thoughts or actions
This is a medical emergency. Women with
these symptoms should be seen right away
at the Emergency Room or by a psychiatrist.
If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system
outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for
any questions or concerns.
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your care. If so, please use it and call if you
have any questions. If this information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your doctor. This
is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Because each
person’s health needs are different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team when using
this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911. Copyright © 10/2018. University of Wisconsin Hospitals
and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry.
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