Becoming a parent is exhausting, emotional, and life-changing. For many new mothers, those feelings go beyond tiredness or the “baby blues” and become something heavier. Postpartum depression is common, it is treatable, and it is not a sign that you are doing anything wrong as a parent.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself or your baby, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-833-852-6262.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that can begin during pregnancy or at any point in the first year after giving birth. Roughly 1 in 7 women experience it.
It is different from the “baby blues.” Many new mothers feel tearful, anxious, or overwhelmed in the first couple of weeks after delivery, and those feelings usually fade on their own. Postpartum depression lasts longer, feels more intense, and gets in the way of daily life and caring for yourself and your baby.
Signs and Symptoms
Postpartum depression looks different for every woman. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or feeling overwhelmed
- Anxiety, panic, or constant worry
- Irritability or intense anger
- Trouble sleeping, even when the baby is asleep, or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Doubting your ability to care for your baby
- Guilt, shame, or feeling worthless
- Thoughts of death, suicide, or harming yourself or your baby
Postpartum psychosis is rare, but it is a medical emergency. Hallucinations, delusions, confusion, or thoughts of harming your baby require immediate care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
There is no single cause. Estrogen and progesterone rise during pregnancy and drop sharply after delivery, and that shift can affect mood. Sleep deprivation, the physical recovery from childbirth, and the demands of caring for a newborn add to the strain.
Some factors raise the risk:
- A personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder
- Limited support from family or friends
- A stressful or traumatic event during pregnancy or after birth
- Complications during pregnancy or delivery
- Mixed feelings about the pregnancy, or trouble getting pregnant
- A baby with special medical needs, or a multiple birth
- Relationship difficulties or domestic violence
- Alcohol or drug use
Having risk factors does not mean you will develop PPD, and many women with PPD have none of them.
Learn more about the causes of postpartum depression →
Treatment Options
Postpartum depression responds well to treatment, and many women use more than one approach:
- Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, to work through difficult thoughts and learn coping and bonding skills
- Medication, such as antidepressants, which your doctor can match to your situation, including whether you are nursing
- Support and rest, including help with childcare, meals, and sleep
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-medication option, particularly when other treatments haven’t worked or aren’t a good fit
Compare treatment options for postpartum depression → | Is there a cure for postpartum depression? →
How TMS Can Help
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. It is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and no medication enters your system. Treatment takes place in our office, and each session lasts about 20 minutes. Most patients notice improvement within 2 to 4 weeks of starting.
Whether TMS is right for you, including during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, is something our psychiatrist will review with you during your consultation, along with your medical history and the other treatments you’ve tried.
How TMS treats postpartum depression →
If You’re Pregnant
Depression can start before the baby arrives. If you are struggling during pregnancy, you can get help now, and you don’t have to wait until after delivery.
- Antenatal depression: how it’s treated →
- Are antidepressants safe while pregnant? →
- Postpartum OCD: signs, symptoms, and treatment →
Supporting a Loved One
Partners, parents, and friends are often the first to notice that something is wrong. Postpartum depression is not caused by anything a mother did or didn’t do, and it doesn’t mean she is a bad parent. Listening without judgment, taking over some of the daily load so she can rest, and encouraging her to talk to a doctor can make a real difference.
Let's Discuss Treatment Options.
