In how you feel
- Sadness that does not lift
- Feeling empty, or feeling nothing at all
- Worry or fear that will not settle
- Anger or irritability
- Feeling guilty, or like a bad mother
Maternal Mental Health Resource Centre
Plain information about postpartum depression, written for mothers, families and anyone caring for a new mother. No medical jargon.
Start here
What is postpartum depression?
Na Krio: Afta yu bɔn, sɔm mama dɛn kin fil se dɛn at de at bad bad wan, dɛn nɔ gɛt pawa, ɛn dɛn nɔ de fil gladi fɔ di pikin. Dat nɔto se yu na bad mama. Na wan sik we dɔktɔ dɛn sabi, ɛn i gɛt kyɔ.
[VERIFY: Krio text needs review by a native speaker before launch.]
Postpartum depression, often shortened to PPD, is a form of depression that can begin during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. It is a recognised medical condition, not a weakness and not a failing as a mother.
It is different from the short period of tearfulness many women feel in the first days after delivery. Postpartum depression lasts longer, feels heavier, and does not lift on its own.
It is common, and it responds to support and treatment. Most mothers who get help recover.
The most important thing to know
You did not cause this, and it is not a punishment. Talking to someone is the first step and it costs nothing.
Signs and symptoms
What it can look like
Not every mother has all of these. Having some of them for more than two weeks is a reason to talk to someone.
In your body
- Very tired, even after resting
- Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
- Eating much more or much less than usual
- Headaches or aches with no clear cause
In daily life
- Struggling to care for yourself or the baby
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
When to get help immediately
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or you feel you cannot keep either of you safe, this needs help today. That thought is a symptom of the illness, not who you are.
Risk factors
What can make it more likely
None of these mean it will happen. They simply mean it is worth watching for.
- A difficult pregnancy, labour or delivery
- Having felt depressed or very anxious before
- Little support at home, or being far from family
- Money worries or food insecurity
- A baby who is unwell, premature or hard to settle
- Losing a baby, or losing someone close during pregnancy
- Conflict or violence at home
- Being very young, or a first-time mother
For families
How to support a mother
If you are a partner, a mother-in-law, a sister or a friend, what you do matters enormously.
Do
- Ask how she is and wait for the real answer
- Take on chores without being asked
- Let her sleep. Take the baby for a stretch
- Go with her to the clinic or the support group
- Keep checking in after the first few weeks
Avoid
- Telling her to be strong or to snap out of it
- Comparing her to other mothers
- Treating it as shameful, or something to hide
- Assuming she will ask if she needs help
Looking after yourself
Small things that help
These are not a substitute for support. They are things mothers tell us make the days easier while they get it.
Sleep when you can
Even short rests. Ask someone to hold the baby for an hour so you can lie down.
Eat and drink
Something regular, even when you have no appetite. Skipping meals makes everything heavier.
Get outside
A short walk, or sitting outside with the baby. Daylight and movement both help.
Tell one person
One person who knows how you actually are. Carrying it alone is the hardest way.
Lower the bar
The house does not need to be perfect. Nothing has to be perfect this year.
Keep the group
Mothers who stay in a support group recover faster than those who attend once.
Reading is not the same as being heard
If any of this sounds like your own life, please talk to someone. It is free, and you do not have to give your name.