Avoiding postpartum depression

Having symptoms is not a personal failure and does not reflect how much you love your baby. A care plan made during pregnancy can identify who to contact, who can help with sleep and meals, and what to do if your mood begins to change.

Emotional changes after birth can include tearfulness and feeling overwhelmed. Postpartum depression is more persistent or disruptive and may involve low mood, loss of interest, marked anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, poor concentration, sleep disturbance that is not explained only by the baby's routine, or difficulty feeling connected to the baby.

Symptoms may begin during pregnancy or after birth. Previous depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, a difficult birth, limited support or major stress can increase vulnerability, but postpartum depression can also occur without an obvious risk factor.

Tell your maternity clinician about any past mental health symptoms and do not stop prescribed psychiatric medicine without a medication review. Arrange realistic help with feeding, household tasks and protected rest. Choose a trusted person who can notice changes in your mood and help you contact care if doing so feels difficult.

After birth, mention low mood, anxiety, frightening thoughts or feeling detached at the earliest opportunity. Talking therapy, practical support and medication compatible with your circumstances may be considered. Eating regularly, gentle movement when medically suitable and accepting help can support recovery, but they are not substitutes for treatment when symptoms persist.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if low mood, anxiety or loss of interest is continuing, worsening or making daily care difficult. Seek emergency help now if you might harm yourself or the baby, feel unable to keep either of you safe, hear or see things others do not, have unusual fixed beliefs, or become severely confused or unusually agitated. Stay with a trusted adult and do not remain alone while emergency help is arranged.

Ask how your personal history affects your care plan, which symptoms your support person should watch for, how soon mood follow-up should occur, and whom to contact outside normal clinic hours. If you take medicine, ask how pregnancy, birth and feeding plans affect the choice and monitoring of treatment.