Depression and Anxiety During and After Pregnancy
Depression during or after pregnancy is common, and is sometimes called postpartum depression. At least one in 10 people who have given birth suffer from it.
If you think you, a friend or a family member is experiencing signs of depression, help is available.
Postpartum Depression
After delivery, it is very common to have the “baby blues,” which are mild mood changes that usually go away a few days to two weeks after delivery.
If a person’s mood changes are more intense, or if they last longer than two weeks during or after pregnancy, it might be depression. Signs and symptoms of depression vary, and they can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms may include:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
- Crying a lot
- Having no energy or motivation
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
- Feeling worthless and guilty
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Having trouble feeling connected to the baby the way you want to
- Having thoughts about not wanting to be alive, hurting yourself, or harming your baby
Postpartum Anxiety
Symptoms of depression and anxiety can overlap. People experiencing depression during and after pregnancy often experience symptoms of anxiety (such as trouble sleeping, trouble relaxing, and feeling irritable). Not all people suffering from anxiety experience depression.
You may be experiencing postpartum anxiety if you:
- Feel panicked or overwhelmed with fearful thoughts
- Experience ongoing extreme worry or irrational fear
- Constantly feel on edge
- Have headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (your heart beats fast and feels like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)
Finding Help
If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy:
- First, talk to your partner, family members, trusted supports, or your physician. These conversations can often be the best first steps to getting the help you need.
- Call or text 988. This is a free, confidential mental health help line available 24/7. Trained mental health professionals can provide support and connection to services.
- If you are having an emergency, that puts you or your baby in danger, call 911. Emergency medical services can be dispatched to help you right away.
Additional Resources
There are many programs that support pregnant people’s mental health:
- Postpartum Resource Center of NY: A New York State non-profit organization that provides support and education for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Includes a toll-free help line, a resource directory, and support groups.
- Postpartum Support International: A national non-profit organization with toll-free help lines in English and Spanish and referrals to local services.
- Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinics: A network of specialized mental health services for young children and their families, and for pregnant and parenting individuals.
- Family Justice Centers: Provide legal and social service supports for victims of domestic violence and their children.
- New York State Office of Mental Health – Help for Maternal Depression and Anxiety: Information and links to resources for parents with pregnancy-related depression or anxiety.
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: A Health Resources and Services Administration hotline staffed by counselors who listen to concerns and can connect parents with resources.