POST PARTUM DEPRESSION
& all its variants
Let’s talk about what can feel like the aftermath of childbirth — the parts no one talks about. The exhaustion, the mood swings, the confusing emotions that can swing from joy to sadness in a single moment. The moments that make you question yourself, fill you with guilt, or leave you wondering why you don’t feel the way society tells you you should.
Childbirth is celebrated in glossy images and glowing stories, but the reality is often messy, emotional, and overwhelming. Feeling moody, frustrated, or even disconnected doesn’t mean you are failing — it means you’re human. These experiences are common, and they can be the first signs of postpartum mood challenges.
I’m going to break down some of the differences between the stages and symptoms of postpartum mood changes. There will be a list of resources for added support (both in person & online).
Also added is a link to the International Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) — the most widely used scale to help measure whether a mother may need professional support or is moving through the postpartum period normally. (This is not a diagnosis; it is a screening tool.) https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/RbExMClOR92jbA5pLUFX
Common Myths of Motherhood
- Happy Motherhood Myth: You should feel constant joy when your baby arrives.
- Instant Intuition Myth: Mothering should feel natural immediately after birth.
- Uninterrupted Love Myth: You must feel unconditional love all the time.
- Perfect Baby Myth: Your child should meet idealized standards.
- Equal Partnership Myth: Partners will automatically share parenting responsibilities equally.
- Perfect Mother Myth: You are expected to do everything flawlessly.
When reality doesn’t match these expectations, feelings of guilt, anxiety, or sadness can emerge.
The Baby Blues
- Prevalence: Affects 75–80% of new mothers
- Timing: Typically begins 2–3 days postpartum, peaking around 7–10 days
- Symptoms May Include:
Fatigue, tearfulness, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, confusion, sleep disturbances, and feeling overwhelmed.
- Causes: Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, stress, and social/environmental factors.
- Management: Validation, gentle self-care, family support. Usually resolves within two weeks.
Important Tip: Even though the baby blues are common, it’s recommended to touch base with your medical provider & keep them informed on how your feeling.
IMPORTANT: If symptom's last longer then 2 weeks, it is advised to seek medical attention.
LINK TO SUPPORT RESOURCES HERE:
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is more than a temporary mood shift. It’s a serious mental health concern affecting roughly 9–16% of postpartum mothers, though the true number may be higher due to underreporting. Previous experience of PPD increases risk significantly, with estimates up to 41%.
PPD can affect mothers by:
- Interfering with daily life and parenting
- Triggering guilt, self-blame, anxiety, or withdrawal
- Disrupting sleep, mood, or interest in activities
- Impacting the ability to provide care to their baby
Effects on children may include:
- Withdrawn or irritable behavior
- Insecure attachment and behavioral challenges
- Possible delays in cognitive, social, or emotional development
Risk Factors:
- Hormonal fluctuations (estrogen, progesterone)
- Personal or family history of depression or anxiety
- Marital stress or lack of support
- Acute stressors or difficult infant temperament
- Young maternal age or first-time motherhood
Half of PPD cases may begin during pregnancy, so awareness is key early on.
Supportive Strategies:
- Strong social support from friends, family, and other mothers
- Prioritizing rest and self-care
- Limiting non-essential responsibilities without sacrificing interests
Self Assessment: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/RbExMClOR92jbA5pLUFX
LINK TO SUPPORT RESOURCES HERE:
Action Plan / Referral:
[Space to outline your referral process, who you refer to, and steps you take to support mothers experiencing PPD]
Postpartum Psychosis
- Prevalence: Rare, occurring in approximately 1–2 per 1,000 births (~0.1% of deliveries).
- Onset: Sudden, usually within the first 4 weeks postpartum.
- Core Symptoms:
- Delusions or unusual beliefs
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Intense irritability
- Hyperactivity
- Decreased need for or inability to sleep
- Paranoia or suspiciousness
- Rapid mood swings
- Difficulty communicating at times
- Risk Factors:
- Personal or family history of bipolar disorder
- Previous psychotic episode
- Important Considerations:
- Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency; immediate professional help is essential.
While some delusions can involve violent thoughts, many survivors never experience harmful commands.
Most women with postpartum psychosis do not harm themselves or others, but due to impaired judgment, professional monitoring is critical.
- Infanticide or suicide risk: Approximately 5% of cases — underscores the urgency of intervention.
IMPORTANT:
Support persons noticing potential signs should immediately advise contacting a clinical care provider or emergency services.
Postpartum psychosis is treatable, temporary, and recovery is possible with professional support.
LINK TO SUPPORT RESOURCES HERE:
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Prevalence: Occurs in approximately 3–5% of childbearing women.
- Core Symptoms:
Presence of repetitive obsessions — intrusive, persistent thoughts or mental images.
- Compulsions — repetitive behaviors performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessions.
Sense of horror or extreme discomfort regarding these thoughts.
- Common Examples:
- Most frequent obsession: thoughts or mental images of harming or even killing one’s own baby.
- Most frequent compulsion: excessive bathing or changing of the baby’s clothes.
Unique Considerations:
Unlike Postpartum Psychosis, mothers are aware their thoughts are bizarre and are highly unlikely to act on them.
Often under-reported due to shame, embarrassment, and fear of judgment.
Risk Factors:
- History of OCD or anxiety disorders.
- Negative feelings about motherhood stemming from unrealistic societal expectations.
Note: Early recognition, non-judgmental support, and referral to mental health professionals are essential for both mother and infant wellbeing.
LINK TO SUPPORT RESOURCES HERE:
Postpartum Panic Disorder
- Prevalence: Occurs in up to 10% of postpartum women.
- Core Symptoms:
- Extreme anxiety and recurring panic attacks
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations
- Agitation and excessive worry or fears
- Common Fears Experienced:
- Fear of dying
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of “going crazy”
- Significant Risk Factors:
- Previous history of anxiety or panic disorder
- Thyroid dysfunction
Note: Early recognition and professional support are essential. Mothers experiencing these symptoms should be referred to a trained mental health professional.
LINK TO SUPPORT RESOURCES HERE:
it's not just depression
- Depression
- Generalised Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Psychosis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Dysphoric Milk EjectionReflex (D-MER)
- Eating & Feeding Disorders
- Body Image Dissatisfaction
- Addiction
Reaching Out for Support
If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself, please know you are not alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not failure.
If you feel too embarrassed, ashamed, or unsure where to start, you can always access my SUPPORT RESOURCES GUIDE here:
or message me directly.
I will help guide you in the right direction — whether that’s connecting with a trained healthcare provider, accessing resources, or simply being heard.
You & your experience matters, and support is available.
Get in touch
If you're struggling & needing support in any way, get in touch here.
You are not alone.