Perinatal Depression & Anxiety

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The journey through pregnancy and early motherhood is a transformative and deeply emotional experience. While it can be filled with moments of joy and anticipation, it can also be accompanied by unexpected challenges.

If you feel sad, stressed, or worried during pregnancy or throughout the first year after childbirth, you may have perinatal depression or anxiety. Perinatal depression affects many expectant and new mothers. We are here to help you understand your symptoms and feel better. You are never alone in this journey.

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?

Irritability and anger
Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
Afraid to be alone with your baby
Thoughts that scare or disturb you
Pulling away from friends and family
Little interest or pleasure in activities
Not feeling connected to or concerned about your baby
Trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions

If the symptoms do not go away within 2 weeks, you should see a doctor or a counselor for treatment. When you get the right treatment, you will feel better.

Did You Know?

50-80% of new mothers experience the baby blues.
One in 10 fathers experience depression before or after the birth of their child.
One out of five women experiences depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy.
One out of every 1,000 women may have a serious condition called postpartum psychosis.

Depression or baby blues?

Baby blues

Baby blues are normal and will go away in a few weeks after the birth of the baby. If the feelings do not go away after 2 weeks or are severe, it may be perinatal depression or anxiety.

Depression during and after pregnancy

Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy or any time in the first year after birth. It may not go away without treatment. Treatment can include counseling with a professional and/or medication to help you feel better.

Anxiety during and after pregnancy

It is normal to worry about your baby. But if you cannot relax, or the worry gets in the way of your connection with the baby or others, this might indicate a serious problem. Some women with perinatal anxiety get racing or scary thoughts that are difficult to stop. If you are experiencing severe anxiety, please contact your doctor.

Postpartum psychosis

If you are seeing or hearing things that others do not, you may have psychosis. Psychosis often causes confusion that may lead to serious harm to yourself, the baby, or others. Women with psychosis need to go to their doctor or the emergency room immediately for evaluation and treatment.

You are not to blame. It's not your fault.

Anyone can get perinatal depression or anxiety, and it is not a sign of weakness or inadequacy. It is a medical condition that can be effectively diagnosed and treated. Early recognition, treatment and support are crucial for the well-being of both the mother and child.

Some of the causes of perinatal depression or anxiety may be:

Hormone changes
Life stress, lack of support and/or isolation
A personal or family history of depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety
Life trauma (abuse or violence, discrimination or racism, traumatic birth)

Being depressed or anxious while you are pregnant or a new mom may affect your baby and your family. Depression or anxiety may make it hard to interact positively or bond with your baby. It is important to get the help you need to have a healthy, happy baby.

What can you do to feel better?

Talk with someone who supports you and understands how you feel. Talk with your doctor or a counselor to help decide if medication would make you feel better.

What else helps?

Asking for help around the house
Getting physical activity every day
Eating healthy foods and avoiding junk food
Taking breaks, resting or getting enough sleep
Talking with friends, family and supportive people
Joining a group of new moms or joining community activities
Doing the things you enjoyed before the baby was born like dancing, listening to music or talking with friends

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