Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression is a mental health condition that occurs when a person is pregnant or just after the baby is born. If it's not managed properly, this condition can cause serious problems for the mother, baby, and loved ones.

Symptoms of this condition are stronger than feeling sad or down for a few days. If you have symptoms of depression that worsen or that last for more than 2 weeks, talk with your health care provider. This may be perinatal depression.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known. Change in hormones during and after pregnancy may cause some of the symptoms.

What increases the risk?

• You have had depression, anxiety, or mood disorders before.
• You have family members who have depression, anxiety, or mood disorders.
• You had a stressful life event during pregnancy.
• You have a lot of stress in life.
• You do not have support from friends or loved ones.
• Your partner abuses you.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Emotional symptoms. You may:
  • Feel sad or hopeless.
  • Feel guilty or feel that you're worthless.
  • Feel irritable or overwhelmed.
  • Feel that you are not able to take care of your baby.
  • Have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
• Physical symptoms, such as:
  • Changes in your appetite or sleep.
  • Lack of energy or motivation.
  • Headaches or stomach problems.
  • Physical aches or pains.
• Changes in behavior, such as:
  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
  • Loss of interest in things or people.
  • Trouble bonding with your baby.

How is this diagnosed?

• Use a list of questions, also called a screening tool, that can help diagnose perinatal depression.
• Ask you to see a mental health expert who treats perinatal depression.

How is this treated?

• Therapy. Some types of therapy include:
  • Interpersonal psychotherapy.
  • Couples therapy.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy.
  • Mother-child bonding therapy.
• Medicines. Your provider will tell you which medicines are safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Support groups.
• Brain stimulation or light therapies.
• Therapies to reduce stress, such as:
  • Mindfulness.
  • Deep breathing.
  • Guided muscle relaxation.

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

• Try to make time to care for yourself. Try to:
  • Get as much rest as you can. Try to take a nap when the baby sleeps.
  • Try to exercise as often as told by your provider.
    • Ask your provider what exercises are safe for you. For some people, yoga and going for a walk can lessen stress.
  • Do things that you enjoy.
    • Take a bath, read, or listen to music or a podcast.
  • Ask for help when you need it. Do not try to do everything yourself.
    • Ask friends and family members to help with meals, child care, or cleaning, even for short times.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Do not smoke, vape, or use any products that have nicotine or tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your provider.
• Do not drink alcohol when you're pregnant. It's also safest not to drink alcohol if you're breastfeeding.
• If you drink alcohol after your baby is born:
  • Limit how much you have to 0–1 drink a day.
  • Be aware of how much alcohol is in your drink. In the U.S., one drink equals one 12 oz bottle of beer (355 mL), one 5 oz glass of wine (148 mL), or one 1½ oz glass of hard liquor (44 mL).

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your provider.
• Talk to people close to you about how you're feeling.
  • Share your concerns, needs, or anxieties you may have. Let others know what you need.
• Try to join a support group for new mothers. Ask your provider about groups you can join.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider needs to make sure the medicines or therapies are helping you.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You or people close to you notice that you have new mental health symptoms.
• Your symptoms of depression get worse.
• You take medicines and have side effects that are not good or hard to tolerate.

Get help right away if:

• You see or hear things that are not there.

• Call 911.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988. This is open 24 hours a day.
• Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.