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Mood after birth

What the sources say about the baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, screening and help.

Signs the sources say need care

Signs of postpartum psychosis

  • NIMH lists delusions, meaning thoughts or beliefs that are not true.1
  • NIMH lists hallucinations, meaning seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not there.1
  • NIMH lists mania, a high, elated mood that often seems out of touch with reality.1
  • NIMH also lists paranoia and confusion.1

“Women experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis should seek immediate help by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.”2

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, Perinatal Depression (NIMH)

In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Signs the sources say need care

Thoughts of suicide or of harming oneself or the baby

  • MedlinePlus lists thinking of harming oneself or the baby as a symptom of postpartum depression.3
  • MedlinePlus also names thoughts about suicide in its section on symptoms.4

“If you have thoughts about suicide, or hurting yourself or your baby get help right away:”4

“Call 911 or go to your local emergency room”4

“Contact a crisis hotline. In the United States, you can reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time:”4

“Call or text 988”4

“Chat online with Lifeline Chat”4

“TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988”4

“Veterans can contact the Veterans Crisis Line:”4

“Call 988, then press 1”4

“Text 838255”4

“Chat online”4

“Call your mental health provider or other health care provider”4

“Reach out to a loved one or close friend”4

MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic)

In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

The baby blues

  • The baby blues are mild, short-lasting mood changes that many women have in the first 2 weeks after birth.5
  • The baby blues usually go away within a few days to a week.6

Postpartum depression and perinatal depression

  • Mood changes that are severe, or last longer than 2 weeks after birth, may be signs of postpartum depression.7
  • Postpartum depression is a common but serious mood disorder that can begin in the first year after birth.8
  • Most episodes of perinatal depression begin within 4 to 8 weeks after the baby is born.9
  • Women with postpartum depression generally do not feel better without treatment.7
  • The US Preventive Services Task Force says perinatal depression affects as many as 1 in 7 women.10
  • A woman is not to blame for having perinatal depression.11
  • A history of depression or bipolar disorder, in the woman or her family, may raise the risk.12

Signs of postpartum depression

  • Symptoms may include feeling sad or empty most of the time, crying more than usual, and pulling away from family and friends.3
  • Other symptoms may include little or no interest in the baby, and constant doubts about caring for the baby.3
  • Postpartum depression symptoms are more intense and last longer than the baby blues.13
  • NIMH lists thoughts of death, of harming oneself or the baby, and suicide attempts among the more common symptoms of perinatal depression.14
  • A provider can tell whether symptoms come from perinatal depression or something else.15

Postpartum psychosis

  • Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that can occur after childbirth.1
  • MedlinePlus describes postpartum psychosis as a very rare medical emergency.16
  • NIMH describes postpartum psychosis as a psychiatric emergency that requires hospitalization.2
  • Recovery from postpartum psychosis is possible with professional help.2
  • Confusion, hallucinations and dangerous behaviors are possible symptoms of postpartum psychosis.16

How screening and diagnosis work

  • A provider may use screening questions or questionnaires about mood, sleep and thoughts.17
  • Diagnosis can also use a clinical evaluation based on symptoms.17
  • Blood tests may check for physical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, that can cause or worsen depression.17
  • Completing recommended screening questionnaires in pregnancy and after birth may lower the risk of postpartum depression.18
  • Early postpartum checkups may also lower the risk, because symptoms can be found and treated sooner.18

Treatment and the two approved medicines

  • Treatment usually includes therapy, medication, or both.19
  • Most women feel better with proper treatment.19
  • Evidence-based therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.20
  • Antidepressants can effectively treat perinatal depression, alone or with talk therapy.21
  • NIMH notes that, in some cases, people under 25 may have more suicidal thoughts or behavior on antidepressants, especially early on or when the dose changes.21
  • NIMH says brexanolone has been approved in the US for severe postpartum depression.21
  • The 2022 brexanolone label lists postpartum depression in patients 15 years and older.22
  • NIMH says brexanolone is given through an IV during a brief hospital stay.21
  • openFDA lists the brexanolone product as discontinued.23
  • NIMH says zuranolone, a pill, was approved in the US more recently as the first oral medication for postpartum depression in adults.21
  • All medications can have side effects.21
  • NIMH links weighing the risks and benefits of treatment to the provider knowing about pregnancy or nursing.21
  • A provider can choose the safest treatment options when told about breastfeeding.24

Where the sources describe help

  • NIMH names a primary care doctor or a mental health professional as a place to start.25
  • NIMH lists an online treatment locator for mental health services, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.25
  • NIMH says support or advocacy groups can be an important source of help and information.26
  • NIMH describes a National Maternal Mental Health Hotline with free, confidential support before, during and after pregnancy.27
  • NIMH says family and friends may be the first to notice signs of depression in a new mother.28

Topics the sources link to a visit

  • How long mood changes have lasted, which NIMH uses to tell postpartum depression from the baby blues.7
  • Any past depression or bipolar disorder, or a family history of either, which MedlinePlus lists as a risk factor.12
  • Whether the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, which the sources link to treatment choices.21, 24

Questions to ask

  1. How can the baby blues be told apart from postpartum depression?
  2. Do these symptoms fit the baby blues, postpartum depression, or something else?
  3. What do the screening questions cover, and when are they asked during pregnancy and after birth?
  4. Which treatments are options: talk therapy, medication, or both?
  5. How do pregnancy or breastfeeding change which treatments are options?
  6. Are brexanolone or zuranolone options, and what does each involve?
  7. Which support groups or services are available nearby?

Sources

  1. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What is postpartum psychosis?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  2. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What is postpartum psychosis?, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  3. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?, list. Retrieved .
  4. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?, get help right away. Retrieved .
  5. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How is postpartum depression different from baby blues?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  6. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What is postpartum depression?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  7. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How is postpartum depression different from baby blues?, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  8. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What is postpartum depression?, paragraph 3. Retrieved .
  9. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What is perinatal depression?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .

  10. The US Preventive Services Task Force describes perinatal depression as the occurrence of a depressive disorder during pregnancy or following childbirth. It says perinatal depression affects as many as 1 in 7 women and is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and that it is well established that it can result in adverse short- and long-term effects on both the woman and child.

    Applies to Maternal
    • Women in pregnancy or following childbirth. The USPSTF abstract gives the figure of as many as 1 in 7 women without stating a country, year or study for it.
    • Not stated in the abstract.
    • Not stated for the figure. The statement is a US recommendation.
    • Pregnancy and after childbirth
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable

    Limitations. This is the importance paragraph of the USPSTF statement's abstract, which gives no source, country, year or definition for the 1 in 7 figure; as many as 1 in 7 is an upper figure, not an average. The atlas read only the abstract. Other organisations publish different prevalence figures; none is used here.

  11. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What are the risk factors for perinatal depression?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  12. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Who is at risk for postpartum depression?, list. Retrieved .
  13. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  14. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What are the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression?, list. Retrieved .
  15. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, What are the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression?, closing paragraph. Retrieved .
  16. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?, postpartum psychosis. Retrieved .
  17. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, How is postpartum depression diagnosed?, list. Retrieved .
  18. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Can postpartum depression be prevented?, list. Retrieved .
  19. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How is perinatal depression treated?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  20. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How is perinatal depression treated?, Psychotherapy. Retrieved .
  21. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How is perinatal depression treated?, Medication. Retrieved .
  22. ZULRESSO (brexanolone) injection prescribing information, 2022 label (supplement 7) Label, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA), Section 1, Indications and usage. Retrieved .
  23. openFDA drugsfda record for NDA211371 Regulator, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA drugsfda endpoint), results[0].products[0].marketing_status. Retrieved .
  24. Postpartum Depression (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, What is the treatment for postpartum depression?, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  25. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How can I find help for perinatal depression?, Visit a mental health professional. Retrieved .
  26. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How can I find help for perinatal depression?, Join a support or advocacy group. Retrieved .
  27. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How can I find help for perinatal depression?, National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Retrieved .
  28. Perinatal Depression (NIMH) Webpage, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, How can family and friends provide help for perinatal depression?, paragraph 2. Retrieved .

About this guide

Written for
People who have given birth, and the people with them
What it covers
Written from a NIMH page and a MedlinePlus page, both US government pages, plus one task force summary and one drug record.
Pages it explains
Sources checked
2026-10-15
Next check due
2027-04-15
Reading level
Estimated grade 9.1 (target 10)

Every sentence cites a source. Words in quotation marks are the source's own; the rest is the atlas's summary.

https://maternal.openmedicalatlas.org/guides/mood-after-birth/ · Release fc5a600ec7387e71, built 2026-10-15