Postnatal Depression (Postpartum Depression)

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What is Postnatal Depression?

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Postnatal depression is also known as puerperal depression, postpartum depression, baby blues, and puerperal psychosis.

The first month after the delivery of a newborn baby (the postpartum period) is a time of major changes for women. Female hormones and weight are rapidly readjusting. There may be new and stressful changes in relationships with other children, the father of the baby, parents and in-laws, colleagues at work, and friends. Of course, the new baby needs almost constant attention and feeding every two hours, resulting in the feeding mother's sleep deprivation. All of these factors can contribute to postnatal depression and mood swings.

If the moodiness only lasts 2-3 weeks and then goes away, it is commonly called the "baby blues". This natural reaction to stress is experienced by more than half of new mothers.

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However, if the feelings of depression or anxiety continue for more than three weeks, a more serious condition called postpartum depression may exist.

For most women, symptoms are transient and relatively mild (i.e. postpartum blues). However, 10-15% of women experience a more disabling and persistent form of mood disturbance (e.g. postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis).

Postpartum psychiatric illness was initially conceptualized as a group of disorders specifically linked to pregnancy and childbirth, and thus was considered diagnostically distinct from other types of psychiatric illness. More recent evidence suggests that postpartum psychiatric illness is virtually indistinguishable from psychiatric disorders that occur at other times during a woman's life.

Who gets Postnatal Depression?

During the postpartum period, up to 85% of women suffer from some type of mood disturbance. About 10% of women experience significant depression after a pregnancy.

Predisposing Factors

You have a higher chance of postnatal depression if:

You experienced mood disorders prior to pregnancy, including depression with a prior pregnancy.
You have a close family member who has had depression or anxiety.
Anything particularly stressful happened to you during the pregnancy (e.g. illness, death or illness of a loved one, a difficult or emergency delivery, premature delivery, illness or child abnormailty).
You are in your teens or over 40 years of age.
The pregnancy in question is unwanted or unplanned.
You are currently substance abusing.

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