Are you currently pregnant, do you know someone who is pregnant, or planning to become pregnant soon? I want to share with you some crucial information to protect your mental health, the mental health of those close to you, and your future child. 

About 1 in 7 women will experience Postpartum Depression, and about 70% will experience the “baby blues”. The “baby blues” are known as a less severe type of sadness that mothers experience for up to two weeks post delivery. Postpartum depression can often be mistaken for the baby blues at first due to their similarities in symptoms. Postpartum depression (PPD) differs in severity and duration. PPD symptoms often include ones similar to major depressive disorder, but also difficulty bonding with your child, fear of not being a good mom and thoughts of harming yourself or the baby. Postpartum depression can also occur in fathers, in similar ways to the mother. They may experience higher levels of stress after the baby is born, and lack of sleep can also be a trigger for depression. PPD that goes untreated in the mother or father can have lasting effects on the child such as emotional or behavioral problems, eating and sleeping problems, and even delays in language development. It is recommended to see a doctor if the symptoms do not fade after 2 weeks, if the symptoms get worse, it gets hard to care for the baby and/or thought of harm. 

Causes of Postpartum depression come from physical changes as well as emotional changes from childbirth and pregnancy. After childbirth there is a drastic drop in progesterone and estrogen. This drop can lead to emotional changes, causing the PPD. Emotional issues such as being sleep deprived, anxious about more things than normal, losing the love of your body, can all contribute to depressive thoughts and feelings leading to PPD.

Understanding this disorder and the signs of it are important for early detection and treatment. When detected early, treatment can be started and positive outcomes can be seen sooner. Anyone can develop PPD, especially those with a history of depression, or those already in stressful situations, so it is important to be educated to protect yourself and the wellbeing of your child.