Perinatal Mental Health

Experts estimate about 80% of new mothers experience mood swings and weepiness during the first 2-3 weeks after giving birth. Sometimes called “the baby blues,” this is a common adjustment period and resolves without any medical assistance.

While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, bipolar, psychosis, or other conditions within the first 12 months after delivery of a baby. Please know that with informed care you can prevent a worsening of these symptoms and can fully recover. Perinatal mental health conditions affect new parents across any culture, age, income level, and race/ethnicity. You deserve support and do not need to suffer alone. Reach out to your health care provider to get help.

For more information, resources, support groups, and more: Postpartum Support International (PSI)

To find a perinatal mental health or other birth professional: PSI Directory

  • Are you feeling sad or depressed?

  • Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?

  • Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?

  • Do you feel anxious or panicky?

  • Do you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or difficulty concentrating?

  • Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?

  • Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind? Do you replay a difficult labor/delivery or related experience?

  • Do you have repetitive, upsetting, and unwanted thoughts or mental images (obsessions), and sometimes feel you need to do certain things over and over (compulsions) to reduce the anxiety caused by those thoughts?

  • Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy?”

  • Do you feel like you never should have become a parent?

  • Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

  • Do you have flashbacks or intrusive pictures in your mind?

  • Do you avoid things (e.g., hospital, medical appointments, holding your baby, etc) because it reminds you of something scary or painful?

If any of this sounds like your experience during pregnancy or postpartum know that help is available to you. You are not alone.