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Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.

It is a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners. 

It is important to get help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last for months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby, and your family.

With the right support most people make a full recovery.

Depression in pregnancy (perinatal depression) is also common.

Other mental health symptoms that can occur during or after your pregnancy include:

  • anxiety
  • panic attacks
  • psychosis

Many women feel a bit down, tearful, or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is often called the "baby blues" and is so common that it's considered normal. The "baby blues" do not last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth.

If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.

Signs

  • a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
  • lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world
  • lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
  • trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day
  • finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby
  • withdrawing from contact with other people
  • problems concentrating and making decisions
  • frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby
Many women do not realise they have postnatal depression because it can develop gradually.