Postpartum Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Support for New Parents

In short: About 80% of new parents feel sad, anxious or irritable in the first weeks after the birth; this normal “baby blues” passes within two weeks. Postnatal depression is more severe, usually starts 1–3 weeks after delivery and may last up to a year, with lasting sadness, loss of interest, guilt and poor sleep. It is treated with support, talking therapy and medication when needed; seek help at once for thoughts of self-harm. Fathers can be affected too.

After delivery, the rapid drop in pregnancy hormone levels can trigger chemical changes in the brain that affect mood. Combined with the physical stress and sleep deprivation that often follow childbirth, this can increase the risk of postpartum depression in people who are already susceptible.

Also, many new parents find it difficult to get the rest they need after giving birth. Sleep deprivation can lead to body pain and exhaustion, which may also contribute to symptoms of postpartum depression.

Women with postpartum depression experience intense feelings of sadness and anxiety that can make it hard to manage daily tasks. Postpartum depression usually begins about one to three weeks after childbirth but can occur up to one year after delivery.

After giving birth, feelings of sadness and fatigue are common and usually fade within two weeks without treatment. If they last longer than two weeks, or are severe, speak to your doctor. This usually doesn’t interfere with a parent’s ability to care for their baby. Nearly 80% of new parents report feeling depressed, anxious, irritable, or even angry in the first weeks with a new baby. However, postpartum depression can interfere with a parent’s ability to care for their baby.

It can happen after a smooth pregnancy and childbirth, after a pregnancy or childbirth with complications, during pregnancy (prenatal depression), or after a stillbirth or miscarriage.

People at higher risk of developing postpartum depression include:

• People with a lot of other stress in their life.
• Parents of a sick baby.
• People who had depressive episodes before or during pregnancy.
• Those without enough support from their spouse, family, or friends.
• People with children to care for.
• Younger parents.
• Moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms
• Formula-feeding instead of breast-feeding
• Smoking
• unemployment

Common symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Constant feelings of sadness, restlessness, anxiety, or hopelessness.
• Detachment from family and friends.
• Extreme fatigue and either sleeping too much or too little.
• Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
• Lost interest in their baby or in their favorite activities.
• Persistent physical problems, such as headaches or an upset stomach.
• Severe mood swings, including irritability, anger, and sadness, but no joy.
• Thoughts about hurting themselves or their baby.
• If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek help immediately: call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department, and do not stay alone. These thoughts are a symptom of the illness, and they can be treated.
• Trouble concentrating or remembering.
• Withdrawing from loved ones, including their baby, due to feelings of guilt or shame.

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it is worth speaking with your doctor — postpartum depression is treatable, and support can make a real difference.

Treatments include lifestyle changes, counseling, and medicine.

Possible dietary supplements sometimes discussed for supporting mood after childbirth include omega‐3, iron, folate, vitamin B12, B6 (pyridoxine), B2 (riboflavin), vitamin D and calcium. As always, check with your doctor before starting any supplement.

Lifestyle changes

• Exercise can help improve mood.
• Stress management and relaxation training.
• Emotional support from a spouse, friends, and family and help with caring for the baby or the home.

Counseling

• Assertiveness training can help people learn to set limits and reduce overwhelm.
• Peer support groups or educational classes.
• Counseling and talk therapy one-on-one with a mental health professional helps develop coping skills.
• Group therapy sessions.

Medical treatments

• Newer fast-acting medicines (such as zuranolone), available in some countries, for moderate to severe postpartum depression
• Antidepressants act on the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and its regulation. Several, such as sertraline, can be taken safely while breastfeeding, so ask your doctor before stopping either.
• Anti-anxiety medication to help with panic attacks and anxiety

Postpartum blues

Postpartum blues usually start 2 to 5 days after delivery and last a few days. They go away completely within two weeks. They are considered normal and not serious.

The baby blues has milder symptoms than postpartum depression, such as mood swings, trouble sleeping, crying, and difficulty concentrating

Rarely (about 1 in 1,000 births), a mother develops postpartum psychosis, usually in the first two weeks: confusion, seeing or hearing things, strange beliefs, extreme agitation or very little sleep. This is a medical emergency; go to the nearest emergency department straight away..

Dads can get postpartum depression too

Researchers found that postpartum depression may affect between 8 and 13% of fathers (called paternal PPD).

Risk factors for paternal PPD include:

• Age (Older parents are more likely to be affected)
• A history of depression, anxiety, or other mental illness.
• Financial worries.
• Having a partner who has a mood disorder or postpartum depression
• Lack of social support.

The symptoms of paternal PPD are the same as PPD in the birthing parent. However, it may not be as obvious (even to the person experiencing it).

If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or recovering from childbirth and have concerns about your emotional wellbeing, our team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is here to listen and support you through every stage of your journey.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist