This document discusses postpartum depression, including its symptoms, causes, risks, and treatment options. Postpartum depression causes new mothers to feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. It can be treated through talk therapy and antidepressant medication. Risk factors include a personal or family history of depression or mental illness, lack of social support, stress, substance abuse, and depression during pregnancy. Untreated postpartum depression can negatively impact both mother and baby's health, development and bonding.

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Health Topics
Postpartum depression

2. 1
Overview
Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad
the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you
probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you
longer to feel better, you may have postpartum
depression.

3. 2
Overview
Postpartum depression can make you feel restless,
anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms
worry they will hurt themselves or their babies.
Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression
does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms
develop something even more serious. They may
stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become
frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition
usually need to be hospitalized.

4. 3
Overview
Researchers think that changes in your hormone
levels during and after pregnancy may lead to
postpartum depression. If you think you have
it, tell your health care provider. Medicine and talk
therapy can help you get well.

5. 4
Treatment
The two common types of treatment for
depression are:

6. 5
Treatment
**Talk therapy**
This involves talking to a therapist, psychologist, or
social worker to learn to change how depression
makes you think, feel, and act.

7. 6
Treatment
**Medicine**
Your doctor can prescribe an antidepressant
medicine. These medicines can help relieve
symptoms of depression.

8. 7
Treatment
**Medicine**
These treatment methods can be used alone or
together. If you are depressed, your depression can
affect your baby. Getting treatment is important
for you and your baby. Talk with your doctor about
the benefits and risks of taking medicine to treat
depression when you are pregnant or
breastfeeding.

9. 8
Risks
Certain factors may increase your risk of
depression during and after pregnancy:
Did you know?

10. 9
Risks
If you take medicine for depression, stopping your
medicine when you become pregnant can cause
your depression to come back. Do not stop any
prescribed medicines without first talking to your
doctor. Not using medicine that you need may be
harmful to you or your baby.
• A personal history of depression or another
mental illness

11. 10
Risks
• A family history of depression or another mental
illness
• A lack of support from family and friends
• Anxiety or negative feelings about the pregnancy
• Problems with a previous pregnancy or birth

12. 11
Risks
• Marriage or money problems
• Stressful life events
• Young age
• Substance abuse
Women who are depressed during pregnancy have
a greater risk of depression after giving birth.

13. 12
Facts
What can happen if depression is not treated?
Untreated depression can hurt you and your baby.
Some women with depression have a hard time
caring for themselves during pregnancy. They may:
-- Eat poorly

14. 13
Facts
-- Not gain enough weight
-- Have trouble sleeping
-- Miss prenatal visits
-- Not follow medical instructions
-- Use harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol, or
illegal drugs

15. 14
Facts
Depression during pregnancy can raise the risk of:
-- Problems during pregnancy or delivery
-- Having a low-birth-weight baby
-- Premature birth

16. 15
Facts
Untreated postpartum depression can affect your
ability to parent. You may:
-- Lack energy
-- Have trouble focusing
-- Feel moody
-- Not be able to meet your child's needs

17. 16
Facts
As a result, you may feel guilty and lose confidence
in yourself as a mother. These feelings can make
your depression worse.
Researchers believe postpartum depression in a
mother can affect her baby. It can cause the baby
to have:
-- Delays in language development

18. 17
Facts
-- Problems with mother-child bonding
-- Behavior problems
-- Increased crying
It helps if your partner or another caregiver can
help meet the baby's needs while you are
depressed.

19. 18
Facts
All children deserve the chance to have a healthy
mom. And all moms deserve the chance to enjoy
their life and their children. If you are feeling
depressed during pregnancy or after having a
baby, don't suffer alone. Please tell a loved one
and call your doctor right away.