Giving birth is often described as one of life’s most beautiful experiences, but it’s also one of the most physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding experiences.

Pregnancy and childbirth take a significant toll on the body, and the transition into motherhood, or adding a newborn into the mix, can be overwhelming, exhausting, and isolating. While new life brings joy, it also brings sleepless nights, difficult hormonal shifts, and the societal pressure to “do it all.”

For many women, this time of their life is compounded by postpartum depression. In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need to know about postpartum depression, including:

• Signs and symptoms
• How it’s different from baby blues
• How long it lasts
• How common it is
• How to avoid it
• How it’s treated

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD), or perinatal depression, is a kind of depression that occurs after childbirth. It’s not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It’s often a complication of childbirth.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time mom or experienced at giving birth; postpartum depression can still affect you.

Related Resources: Depression, High Functioning Depression

Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of postpartum depression are intense and may be mistaken for baby blues. However, symptoms of baby blues are less intense and last a couple of days to a week. The symptoms of baby blues include:

• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Sadness
• Irritability 
• Loss of concentration
• Crying
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sleeping issues (beyond waking up to check on or feed the baby)

Postpartum depression shares similar symptoms, but they last much longer and are much more intense.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

After giving birth, there are a lot of major changes to adjust to, and the changes can be difficult. Not only is the transition into motherhood difficult, but childbirth triggers major hormonal shifts that last until the body “resets” after the pregnancy.

Perinatal depression usually begins a couple of weeks after giving birth, but it can begin shortly before. The symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Depression and severe mood swings
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Extreme appetite (Not eating enough or eating too much)
• Sleep issues (unable to sleep or sleeping too much)
• Complete exhaustion
• Loss of interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Severe panic and anxiety attacks
• Intense anger or irritability
• Hopelessness
• Feeling guilt, worthlessness, or inadequacy
• Fear you’re not a good mother
• Cognitive issues, including the inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Untreated postpartum depression can last many months up to a year. These symptoms make it difficult for mothers to bond with their newborns and are extremely challenging.

Signs of Postpartum Depression

The first few weeks with a newborn are confusing, chaotic, and often overwhelming. 

It’s common for mothers to stop taking care of themselves as they adjust to taking care of a newborn. This makes it difficult to notice the signs of postpartum depression before they become severe.

The signs of perinatal depression include:

• Extreme mood swings 
• Fatigue beyond what’s typical
• Difficulty bonding with the baby

If you’re asking, “Do I have postpartum depression?” it’s a good idea to get in contact with a trained professional. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, and it should be encouraged.

Request a consultation with Inner Balance Counseling to ask any questions you may have about postpartum depression.

When Can Postpartum Depression Start

Postpartum depression can begin before giving birth, but typically begins a week to a year after birth.

Before and during childbirth, the body releases an extreme amount of hormones. This is how the body prepares for the extreme task of giving birth. However, it can cause alarming mental health symptoms.

Because these hormonal changes occur before giving birth, postpartum depression can start before giving birth.

How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?

Postpartum depression can last up to a year after giving birth. However, this doesn’t mean you have to wait for symptoms to get better. When left untreated, postpartum depression can wreak havoc.

Talking with a healthcare provider and getting the treatment you need can speed up the recovery process. In these conversations, be honest about how you feel.

Can Men Get Postpartum Depression?

Fathers can experience postpartum depression. Although it is different from what mothers experience.

Fathers can experience paternal postpartum depression, and its symptoms include:

• Sadness
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping

Around 8% to 10% of fathers will develop postpartum depression, and it can negatively affect their relationship with their newborns and their partner. 

Fathers who think they’re experiencing paternal postpartum depression should seek out treatment with a trained health provider and counselor. 

How Common is Postpartum Depression?

Roughly 1-7 people who give birth will experience postpartum depression. However, this number is much lower than reality. About 50% of cases go undocumented due to the stigma surrounding postpartum depression.

Related Resources: Mom Guilt: What it is and How to Combat it

How to Avoid Postpartum Depression

There’s no sure way to avoid postpartum depression. However, there are some steps you can take before giving birth to help reduce the risk of symptoms getting worse.

Build a Support System

Openly talk with the people closest to you about how you’re feeling and make plans for check-ins. Isolation is your worst enemy, so don’t be afraid to reach out to other mothers and ask for and accept help.

If you have a partner, prenatal is the time to strengthen your relationship. Things are about to get chaotic, so try to prioritize each other before the baby comes.

Take Care of Yourself

This might be hard, but one of the most important ways you can avoid postpartum depression is to take care of yourself. The best case scenario would include long baths and plenty of time to recharge, but let’s be honest–most mothers to newborns would be lucky to shower once a week.

It's a lot of work to take care of a newborn, let alone yourself. However, getting the bare necessities is enough to help combat postpartum depression.

• Drink lots of water: If you’re breastfeeding, your body will likely inform you that you need more water. However, it’s still easy to neglect hydration. If you have a partner, they may be able to remind you and deliver water throughout the day.
• Eat healthily: Before giving birth, try to plan out healthy meals that are easy to make or warm up. This is a big ask, but if you rely on your support system, they may be able to help you during your first week or so.
• Go for walks: Physical activity is helpful for regulating mood and energy levels. If you’re able, take walks around your neighborhood, parking lot, or home. Even a short intentional walk can go a long way.
• Prioritize sleep: This might sound like a joke—asking a mother with a newborn to sleep more as if that's their choice, but when possible, try to get enough sleep. One way to do this is to take shifts with your partner. This will maximize sleep for both of you.

Related Resources: Stress Management

Proactively Seek Professional Help

You don’t need to have postpartum depression to seek professional help. Meeting with a counselor before the big day can help prepare you and your partner for the big changes in your home and your body.

While meeting with a counselor about postpartum depression, you’ll learn coping skills and find ways to strengthen your support system.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

Postpartum depression is treated like most mental health issues:

• Talk therapy
• Medication

Talk Therapy

Talking through your issues with a counselor or trained health professional can help you frame your thoughts and work through your problems. 

During counseling, you’ll learn to build healthy coping mechanisms and find ways to reframe negative thinking patterns.

Medication

Your healthcare provider or counselor may want to prescribe medications to help decrease negative symptoms. If you’re breastfeeding, medication will enter your breast milk. However, many medications can be safely taken while breastfeeding. Talk with your health care provider about medication interactions with breastfeeding.

Counseling for Postpartum Depression

Being a mother is hard work, and the increased chaos of a newborn makes it so much harder. Seeking professional mental health counseling after having a baby, regardless of postpartum depression status, can be a good way to get ahead of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is not something that will go away with time without help. If you’re having a hard time functioning or are experiencing major depressive episodes, seek professional counseling.

Inner Balance offers counseling services for many mental health issues and people from all walks of life and identities. Request a consultation to start feeling better.