MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum Depression is a type of depression that a mother experiences immediately after childbirth. It is more serious and lasts longer than 'baby blues'. Postpartum depression occurs in approximately 10 percent of childbearing women. Postpartum depression often requires counseling and treatment. Postpartum depression can occur after any birth, not just the first. Does every mother experience Postpartum Depression? No. Some mothers will experience postpartum depression while others will not. Symptoms of Postpartum Depression The most common symptoms of postpartum depression are: strong feelings of sadness anxiety or despair trouble coping with their daily tasks withdrawal from family and friends trouble sleeping loss of sexual interest severe mood swings Why does Postpartum Depression occur? It is unclear exactly why postpartum depression occurs. There are many factors that will determine whether a mother develops postpartum depression. The most common factors for developing postpartum depression are: Decreases in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Fatigue after childbirth Feelings of doubt about the pregnancy Lack of support from others What is the difference between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression? The biggest difference is that Baby Blues goes away within a couple days of the childbirth. Treatment Options for Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression can be treated. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the condition. One of the most common treatments is attending a support group to talk with other women who are going through the same thing. Without treatment, postpartum depression may become worse or may last longer
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