Affecting up to 20% of U.S. women, perinatal depression (PND) is major depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after childbirth.
Perinatal depression can affect anyone, including moms, dads, birth parents and adoptive parents.
If you’re experiencing depression before, during, or after pregnancy, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Perinatal depression is a real medical condition — not a sign of being a bad parent.
Perinatal depression is a mental health condition that happens during pregnancy or within the first year after having a baby. Its symptoms can make it challenging to bond with your baby or adjust to the new rhythms of parenting.
For some new parents, having a baby can make them feel sad, anxious, exhausted, or hopeless. This can be confusing or frustrating, as new parents might feel like they should be happy and excited about their growing family. But that’s not always the case.
Perinatal depression affects parents of all genders. Up to 20% of women in the U.S. experience perinatal depression. About 1 in 10 new fathers have paternal perinatal depression. Post-adoption depression also affects 1 in 5 adoptive moms and 1 in 10 adoptive dads or partners.
Many new parents hesitate to ask for help, even when they’re struggling. They might feel like talking about their negative feelings means they’ve failed. They may worry others won't understand and that keeping quiet means it will ‘go away’ sooner. But this isn’t the case. Perinatal depression is a condition — not a personal failure — and you deserve support.
Signs and symptoms of perinatal depression
Many new parents feel anxious or overwhelmed in the first few days after giving birth. This is often called the “baby blues,” and those feelings usually go away within a week or two. Perinatal depression is different. It can last for at least two weeks or longer, with symptoms that are more intense and harder to manage.
Common symptoms of perinatal depression include:
Severe mood swings
Lack of interest in the baby
Anxiety, excessive worry, or irrational thoughts
Loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
Feelings of intense shame, guilt, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in sex or difficulty connecting with your partner
Intrusive thoughts of harming the baby or yourself
Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, or stomach issues, with no known medical cause
Feeling tired or having very low energy
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Types of perinatal depression
Perinatal depression covers both prenatal depression (during pregnancy) and postpartum depression (after childbirth). Becoming a new parent is already difficult — but having this condition can make it even harder and potentially isolating.
Here’s a closer look at different forms perinatal depression can take:
Prenatal depression happens during pregnancy and often makes parents feel sad or anxious. Hormones, health worries, and fears about childbirth can add to these feelings.
Postpartum depression (PPD) starts within the first few weeks or months after delivery. PPD can make it hard to function or bond with your baby. It affects up to 15% of women, and there’s a 40% chance of PPD recurring in future pregnancies.
Paternal perinatal depression (PPND) affects new fathers and partners. This can happen because of stress, lack of sleep, or changes in family roles. It can occur anytime within the baby’s first year.
Post-adoption depression can make adoptive parents feel depressed too. The stress of parenting and family changes can affect both adoptive dads and moms.
Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is different from postpartum depression, but these conditions can co-occur. PPA is characterized by worry, hypervigilance, panic, a fast heartbeat, upset stomach, or a feeling of restlessness. Many parents with PPA feel tense or on edge most of the time.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare and serious condition that can begin a few days or weeks after having a baby. It can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and extreme mood swings. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
How perinatal depression affects mothers
Perinatal depression can impact partners, children, and the entire household. Several factors can cause it, including:
Hormonal changes: Many women have a dramatic drop in estrogen levels after having a baby. This may play a role in developing postpartum depression or anxiety.
Emotional stress: The demands of caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming. Worries about parenting, lack of sleep, and constant anxiety can increase the risk for new parents.
Lack of support: New parents who don't receive help from family and friends may feel sad and alone.
Life stressors: Financial, relationship, or job stress can worsen depression.
Birth complications: A traumatic pregnancy or delivery can affect mental health.
Some people might be more likely to develop perinatal depression than others. Risk factors can include:
Having a history of depression, anxiety, premenstrual syndrome, or past trauma
Poor nutrition, low physical activity, vitamin B6 deficiency, and not getting enough sleep
A high-risk pregnancy, having an emergency c-section, or delivering before your due date
Partner abuse, a history of smoking, or lacking a support network
If your mom had perinatal depression, you may experience it too — 42% of women with a family history of perinatal depression had it following the birth of their first baby
Untreated perinatal depression can lead to:
An increased risk of homicide and or suicide*
Premature birth or low birth weight
Difficulty bonding with your baby, which may affect their brain development
Strained relationships with your partner and family
Long-term depression that may become harder to treat over time
If you’re experiencing any of the signs of depression, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org
If experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.
Treatment options for perinatal depression
Perinatal depression isn’t a sign that you're doing something wrong. It’s a real medical condition that’s treatable with the right support.
Some effective ways to manage it include:
Self-care: Even though you're taking care of a new baby, it's essential to make time for yourself too. When you make sleep a priority, eat healthy foods, and stay active, you can boost your mood and energy levels.
Support groups: It's important to remember you aren't alone. Talking to other new parents — either online or in person — can help you feel better.
Partner and family support: It can make a difference having people you trust in your life. When you feel overwhelmed, they can help with daily tasks and offer emotional support. If you don't have family nearby, consider joining a local parenting group.
Therapy: A trained therapist can help you understand why you're feeling down. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) can teach you how to cope and feel better.
If you're struggling but aren't sure it ‘counts’ as depression, remember this: You don’t need a perfect label to get support. If something feels off, heavy, or hard to carry alone, that’s reason enough to reach out. You don’t have to wait until it gets worse to get the care you deserve.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Clinical reviewer
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You might expect new parenthood to be a joyful time. But with perinatal depression, it might not feel that way. This is a mental health condition, not a personal flaw — and support is available. Talking with a therapist can help you make sense of your feelings, find ways to cope, and start to feel happy again.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Linda Childers
Linda is an award-winning medical writer with experience writing for major media outlets, health companies, hospitals, and both consumer and trade print and digital outlets.
Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, WebMD, AARP, Brain+Life, HealthyWomen.org, The Rheumatologist, California Health Report, Everyday Health, HealthCentral, and many other media outlets.
While juggling the responsibilities of being part of the “sandwich generation” and caring for both her toddler son and terminally ill mother, a nurse friend encouraged her to seek therapy, which helped her to learn coping strategies and manage her depression. Linda hopes her work will help to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage others to get the help they need.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Ashley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in generational healing and family dynamics. Ashley has worked in schools, clinics, and in private practice. She believes that people’s relationships, including our relationship with ourselves, greatly shape our experiences in life.
Ashley is committed to empowering others to show up authentically and deepen their self understanding. This passion stems from taking a critical lens on her own life story and doing inner healing. One of her favorite quotes is “Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.”
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