Mothers

Certain factors may increase a mother’s risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) during and after pregnancy. Identifying risk factors early can be critical to engage in prevention and mitigation strategies. Possible risk factors include:

• A personal history of depression, substance abuse, or another mental health diagnosis 
• A family history of depression, substance abuse, or another mental health diagnosis 
• A lack of social support from family and friends 
• Women who have an unplanned pregnancy 
• Previous pregnancy, birth, or postpartum difficulties 
• Adolescent mothers
• Sleep deprivation
• Women who have difficulty breastfeeding 
• Low confidence as a parent
• Health problems with the baby
• A major life change at the same time as the birth of the baby 

The following signs or symptoms of postpartum depression may mean that a mother is experiencing something more serious than the baby blues. Multiple symptoms that don’t go away or thoughts of suicide may mean the mother could need an evaluation by a physician or mental health professional.

• Postpartum Plan – English
• Postpartum Plan – Spanish

Baby Blues and PPD share many of the same symptoms: Irritability, insomnia, change in appetite, sadness, mood swings, less energy, increased crying, persistent anger/rage.

However, Baby Blues differs from PPD in severity and onset. Baby blues should not last longer than two to three weeks after delivery and will impact most mothers (70%) whereas Postpartum Depression will be more intense, and most importantly will result in significantly impaired functioning (i.e; crying more often vs crying all day for multiple days)and makes getting through your day much more difficult. 15-20% of new mothers in the U.S. experience symptoms of postpartum depression. The most distinct symptom from Baby Blues are intrusive thoughts. These are ideas or images that feel like they are invading your brain. For new moms, these thoughts often include accidentally—or intentionally—harming the baby. For example, some mothers report bathing their baby and suddenly thinking, “What if I just walked away for a minute? Or even, What would happen if I put her head under the water?” Intrusive thoughts are a common symptom of postpartum depression and anxiety. Surprisingly, over half of new mothers report having them. These thoughts are NOT an indication of psychosis, and they DO NOT denote intention to carry these things out. They may make a new mother feel like she is “going crazy” but she is not. These thoughts will make you feel like you are a bad mother. They will make her feel guilty and ashamed. Please remind mothers that this is a common symptom and to try and not beat themselves up about this. 

Perinatal Anxiety is slightly less common than baby blues or PPD, impacts a reported 10% of new parents. However, many parents report having symptoms of both PPD and PPA at the same time.  

Symptoms include: Increasing and disruptive fears and worries (that make daily life much more difficult), difficulty concentrating and focusing, Restless sleep, panic attacks, Irritability, Muscle tension, upset stomach, increased heart rate, tightness in the chest

When a new mom has postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), or another maternal mental health concern, it can be a hard time for the entire family. Older children suffer when they lose the attention and support of their mother. Other family members may be called upon to fill the gap. Because this affects the entire family, it is important that family members know the signs and help their loved one seek help. The more you know about maternal mental health, the better you will be able to care for yourself and the ones you love. 

If you know a woman who has signs of PPD, here is how you can help: