Post-natal Depression

Megalife

There is a transient mood disturbance occurring 3-5 days after childbirth known as Postnatal Blues. This will affect 50-60% of mothers but usually resolves within about 2 days. Those with severe postnatal blues are at particular risk of developing Postnatal Depression.

Postnatal Depression is a common disorder: 10-15% of mothers become depressed within 6-8 weeks of childbirth. Clinical features include depressed mood; irritability; marked anxiety; teafulness and profound sadness; poor concentration and indecisiveness; excessive worries about the baby’s health; negative thoughts of failure and inadequacy as a mother; sleep and appetite disturbance; suicide ideas and thoughts of harming the baby. Most postnatal depression will be resolved by 6 months after birth.

Puerperal psychoses occur after around 0.2% of mothers. The onset is usually within 2 weeks after giving birth. Clinical features can include markedly changeable behaviour, delusions, hallucinations, marked guilt, depression, anxiety, irritability, disturbance in sleep and appetite, as well as thoughts of harming herself or the baby.

If a mother is suspected to be suffering from postnatal depression or puerperal psychoses, she should seek help from the Comprehensive Child Development Service, social worker, family doctor, or psychiatrist as soon as possible for management of their mental health problems.