Postpartum Mental Health
Care for postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and more
Coping with Postpartum Emotions
The postpartum period can be a difficult time emotionally. Your body and its hormone levels are changing quickly after the birth of your baby. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is here to help. Our Reproductive Psychiatry and Women’s Mental Health program offers specialized support.
We encourage you to be aware of the signs and symptoms of postpartum health issues. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, your baby or someone else, call 911 right away.
Understanding Postpartum Mental Health Issues
Welcoming a new baby into the home can be a joyful and exciting time. It also can be overwhelming and exhausting. You may feel a range of emotions following delivery, including the very typical, very common “baby blues.”
Perinatal mood disorders are one of the most common complications of the prenatal and postpartum period. When these occur, you should seek the care of a mental health professional. About 13% of people have emotional difficulties after giving birth. You could benefit from treatment. We also encourage you to learn more about postpartum mental health by learning from other trusted organizations, like Postpartum Support International.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
Everyone has the potential for emotional difficulties after delivery. You are at an increased risk for mental health concerns if you face these conditions:
- Have suffered from depression or anxiety during the pregnancy or before
- Live in a high-stress environment
- Don’t have enough emotional, social or economic support
Sleep deprivation — as well as hormonal and genetic factors — also contribute to postpartum mental health issues.
Don't Wait to Get Help
It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of postpartum mental health issues and to get help right away. When a skilled mental health professional can diagnose, evaluate and treat these issues, there is usually a full recovery within weeks.
Please call for help right away if you have signs of a mental health issue as described above. Let a partner, family member or friend know about your distress. It is important to ask for and to accept help from your support system during this time.
Warning Signs
Get help right away if you see these warning signs:
- Find it hard to function and cope with everyday activities
- Have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Have feelings of anxiety, fear, panic or depression that last several hours of the day
- Feel confused, or if you see or hear things that aren’t really there
- Are concerned that your baby blues aren’t going away
Partners and family: If you suspect that the new mother has a serious mental health issue and she isn’t getting help, please call her obstetrician or primary care doctor for advice.
More About Postpartum Mental Health
This usually starts within the first few days or the first week after giving birth. Baby blues occur in up to 90% of those who have given birth. Be aware of these symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Crying or tearing up a lot
- Edginess
- Irritability and anger
- Moodiness
- Sadness
Baby blues are very common. Symptoms usually improve within the first few weeks after delivery. If symptoms don’t improve by three weeks postpartum, call your obstetrician.
Treatment involves these steps:
- Emotional support
- Rest
- Help with household activities and chores
This usually begins within the first three months after delivery. These are the most common symptoms:
- Excessive worry
- Fear of being alone with baby
- Feelings of terror, dread or sense of doom
- Heart palpitations
- Intense anxiety
- Panic
- Racing thoughts
- Restlessness
Treatment may include these or others:
- Medication
- Referral to community agencies
- Therapy
This is a much more serious condition than common baby blues. Postpartum depression (PPD) may start any time within the first year after your baby is born. It usually starts within the first two to three months after birth.
PPD may include all symptoms of baby blues in addition to these:
- Agitation
- Anger
- Appetite disturbance
- Depressed mood
- Extreme self-doubt
- Fear
- Helplessness
- Hopelessness
- Lack of or over-concern for baby
- Not wanting to be alone with baby
- Thoughts of harming self or baby
- Trouble sleeping
Treatment for PPD may include these or other steps:
- Medication
- More support at home
- Therapy
- Referral to community agencies
Here are symptoms of OCD:
- Disturbing thoughts that keep coming back or that make it hard to think about other things (intrusive thoughts)
- Urges to perform certain activities over and over
In postpartum OCD, intrusive thoughts may focus on the care and well-being of your baby. Early treatment is essential and may include therapy and medication.
This is extremely rare, occurring in only one or two out of every 1,000 births. Symptoms usually occur in the first two weeks after giving birth. Most people who experience PPP are those who have had psychotic episodes in the past.
Symptoms may include these or others:
- Confusion
- Extreme agitation
- Frantic energy
- Paranoia
- Seeing and hearing things that aren’t there
- Strange behavior
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Withdrawal
Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency, and immediate treatment is essential. Treatment includes medication and hospitalization.
