Postpartum Depression
What is Postpartum Depression?
Understanding Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression describes depression that may happen after birth or adoption. It can also affect women who have a miscarriage or stillbirth. Fifteen to twenty percent of women who have a new baby have depression that sets in after the birth. It is not possible to know who will get postpartum depression, but some risk factors are:
- having had a previous depression during pregnancy
- having had a previous postpartum depression
- having a history of depression, including anxiety and panic attacks
- having a lack of support
Other factors that can contribute to postpartum depression are:
- being a young mother
- having an unexpected pregnancy
- feeling unsure about your pregnancy
- an unstable marriage or relationship
- not having enough money
- difficult life events (death of a loved one or loss of a job)
- violence or abuse
- chronic or serious health problems
- having a baby with health problems
- having a baby that you feel has a demanding nature
- finding that being a mother is not what you expected
