What Is Perinatal Depression?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefining Perinatal DepressionRecognizing the Symptoms of Perinatal DepressionHow Is Perinatal Depression Diagnosed?What Causes Perinatal Depression?How Is Perinatal Depression Treated?How to Cope With Perinatal Depression

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Defining Perinatal Depression

Recognizing the Symptoms of Perinatal Depression

How Is Perinatal Depression Diagnosed?

What Causes Perinatal Depression?

How Is Perinatal Depression Treated?

How to Cope With Perinatal Depression

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Perinatal depression is a type of depression that can happen during and after pregnancy. While treatable, the symptoms of perinatal depression can sometimes be severe and may impact the health of pregnant people and their children.

Pregnancy and the weeks immediately following birth are physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. It’s not uncommon to experience elation and happiness one moment only to feel sadness, fatigue, and anxiety the next.

While these emotions can reflect normal mood swings during pregnancy and postpartum, there are instances when these mood changes may reflect something more serious.

At a GlancePregnancy and motherhood can produce a range of feelings, from sheer excitement and joyful celebration to sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. For some women, these ups and downs are temporary, but for others, these feelings persist or increase in intensity as time goes on.Perinatal depression can happen during and after pregnancy, and it’s important to watch for the signs of the conditions and seek help.

At a Glance

Pregnancy and motherhood can produce a range of feelings, from sheer excitement and joyful celebration to sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. For some women, these ups and downs are temporary, but for others, these feelings persist or increase in intensity as time goes on.Perinatal depression can happen during and after pregnancy, and it’s important to watch for the signs of the conditions and seek help.

Pregnancy and motherhood can produce a range of feelings, from sheer excitement and joyful celebration to sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. For some women, these ups and downs are temporary, but for others, these feelings persist or increase in intensity as time goes on.

Perinatal depression can happen during and after pregnancy, and it’s important to watch for the signs of the conditions and seek help.

How to Avoid Emotional Stress During Pregnancy

Perinatal depression is depression experienced during or after pregnancy. The condition affects one in seven women, making it one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

There are several terms used to describe mood disorders that result in depressive feelings during pregnancy or after birth, includingpostpartum depression, maternal depression, prenatal depression, and postnatal depression.

Depression during pregnancy typically covers the period of pregnancy through the first 12 months after delivery.Estimates suggest that around 26.3% of pregnant people will experience perinatal depression.

What Is Perinatal Depression?

It’s natural to experience emotional ups and downs during pregnancy and the postpartum period; mild mood changes during pregnancy are common. However, if feelings of depression oranxietyduring or after pregnancy persist for a few weeks or interfere with daily activities, it is time to ask for help.

Symptoms of perinatal depression include:

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Diagnosing pregnancy depression follows some of the same guidelines as diagnosing other forms of depression, but your doctor will consider the peripartum onset as an important specifier, often resulting in a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) with peripartum onset.

That said, there are some slight discrepancies in the time frame of perinatal depression between theDSM-5and other organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

The DSM-5 cites symptom onset as occurring any time during pregnancy or within four weeks of delivery,yet many professional organizations, including ACOG, acknowledge that symptoms of perinatal depression can occur up to 12 months after delivery.

Getting Screened for Perinatal Depression

ACOG recommends:

ACOG and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend:

Living With Generalized Anxiety Disorder When You’re Pregnant

The initial onset of depression symptoms often peaks during the reproductive years, which points to hormonal activity as one of the causes of pregnancy depression.Shifting hormonesduring pregnancy and in the postpartum period may play a role in symptoms of perinatal depression.

Several risk factors exist for perinatal depression, including:

People with current depression or anxiety who become pregnant should be closely monitored during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Factors That Could Increase Your Risk of Depression

The daily symptoms of perinatal depression can sometimes feel overwhelming and permanent, especially when you are already dealing with all of the other changes and challenges of being pregnant.

It’s important to remember, however, that depression during and after pregnancy is treatable. You can begin to feel better through a combination of different therapies, medications, and self-care.

Perinatal depression is under the umbrella ofdepressive disorders. That means that it should be treated with interventions that have been proven to be effective.

Therapy and Counseling

Psychotherapyis often the first line of defense when it comes to treating perinatal depression. During therapy, you can begin to understand your diagnosis and how it impacts your life. Atherapistwill also work with you to develop strategies that decrease the severity of the symptoms.

There are several forms of psychotherapy, but two, in particular, have been studied in treating perinatal depression.

Get Treatment With the 7 Best Online Help Resources for Depression

Antidepressants

There are differing opinions on the use of antidepressants during pregnancy, and special consideration should also be given while breastfeeding.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy and postpartum.

Talk with your doctor about the risks associated with taking medication during pregnancy, as well as any risks associated with untreated depression. They can help you decide what’s best for you.

Are Antidepressants Safe in Pregnancy?

Acupuncture

Additionally, preliminary research has shown that complementary and alternative therapies like acupuncture andacupressuremay be helpful interventions for managing depression symptoms during pregnancy.

What Are Alternative Therapies?

Managing the symptoms of depression while pregnant and caring for a newborn can feel overwhelming at times. In addition to any treatment plan that may involve therapy or medication, there are severalself-care and coping tipsyou can try in order to alleviate some of the symptoms of pregnancy depression.

Exercise and Physical Activity

Stayingphysically activeand engaging in exercises that you enjoy not only benefits your health, but it can also help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.Try to include some form of exercise most days of the week.

Talk with your doctor if you’re unsure of the safety of a particular activity.

Adequate Rest

Healthy Diet and Nutrition

Your body needs additional calories and nutrients when pregnant and breastfeeding. To support overall health, focus on a diet full of fresh fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein. What you eat can determine how you feel physically andmentally.

Support Groups

When to Seek HelpIf you’re experiencing any symptoms of perinatal depression, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. There are safe and effective ways to treat and manage the symptoms of depression. That’s why it’s critical to talk to your doctor right away.Asking for help is the first step in finding ways to feel better so you can begin to fully enjoy this remarkable time in your life.

When to Seek Help

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of perinatal depression, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. There are safe and effective ways to treat and manage the symptoms of depression. That’s why it’s critical to talk to your doctor right away.Asking for help is the first step in finding ways to feel better so you can begin to fully enjoy this remarkable time in your life.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of perinatal depression, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. There are safe and effective ways to treat and manage the symptoms of depression. That’s why it’s critical to talk to your doctor right away.

Asking for help is the first step in finding ways to feel better so you can begin to fully enjoy this remarkable time in your life.

8 Tips to Help You Deal With Depression

19 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Screening for perinatal depression.Dagher RK, Bruckheim HE, Colpe LJ, Edwards E, White DB.Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30(2):154-159. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8862Al-abri K, Edge D, Armitage CJ.Prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2023;58(11):1581-1590. doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02386-9Alhusen J, Alvarez C.Perinatal depression.Nurse Pract.2016;41(5):50–55. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000480589.09290.3eNational Institute of Mental Health.Perinatal depression.Rollè L, Giordano M, Santoniccolo F, Trombetta T.Prenatal attachment and perinatal depression: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(8). doi:10.3390/ijerph17082644National Alliance on Mental Illness.Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Stuart-Parrigon K, Stuart, S.Perinatal depression: An update and overview.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2014; 16(9):468. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0468-6Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J, et al.Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice.Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20182359. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3259Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205US Preventive Services Task Force.Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA.2019;321(6):580–587. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0007Stamou G, García-Palacios A, Botella C.Cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of post-natal depression: a narrative review.BMC Psychol.2018;6:28. doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0240-5Lenze SN, Potts MA.Brief interpersonal psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy in a low-income population: A randomized controlled trial.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:151-157. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.029Berle JØ, Spigset O.Antidepressant use during breastfeeding.Curr Womens Health Rev. 2011;7(1):28-34. doi:10.2174/157340411794474784Dubovicky M, Belovicova K, Csatlosova K, Bogi E.Risks of using SSRI / SNRI antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation.Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2017;10(1):30–34. doi:10.1515/intox-2017-0004Suzuki S, Tobe C.Effect of acupressure, acupuncture and moxibustion in women with pregnancy-related anxiety and previous depression: A preliminary study.J Clin Med Resh. 2017;9(6):525-527. doi:10.14740/jocmr3009wBlake H.Physical activity and exercise in the treatment of depression.Front Psychiatry.2012;3:106. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00106Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-844. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?

19 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Screening for perinatal depression.Dagher RK, Bruckheim HE, Colpe LJ, Edwards E, White DB.Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30(2):154-159. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8862Al-abri K, Edge D, Armitage CJ.Prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2023;58(11):1581-1590. doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02386-9Alhusen J, Alvarez C.Perinatal depression.Nurse Pract.2016;41(5):50–55. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000480589.09290.3eNational Institute of Mental Health.Perinatal depression.Rollè L, Giordano M, Santoniccolo F, Trombetta T.Prenatal attachment and perinatal depression: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(8). doi:10.3390/ijerph17082644National Alliance on Mental Illness.Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Stuart-Parrigon K, Stuart, S.Perinatal depression: An update and overview.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2014; 16(9):468. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0468-6Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J, et al.Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice.Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20182359. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3259Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205US Preventive Services Task Force.Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA.2019;321(6):580–587. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0007Stamou G, García-Palacios A, Botella C.Cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of post-natal depression: a narrative review.BMC Psychol.2018;6:28. doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0240-5Lenze SN, Potts MA.Brief interpersonal psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy in a low-income population: A randomized controlled trial.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:151-157. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.029Berle JØ, Spigset O.Antidepressant use during breastfeeding.Curr Womens Health Rev. 2011;7(1):28-34. doi:10.2174/157340411794474784Dubovicky M, Belovicova K, Csatlosova K, Bogi E.Risks of using SSRI / SNRI antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation.Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2017;10(1):30–34. doi:10.1515/intox-2017-0004Suzuki S, Tobe C.Effect of acupressure, acupuncture and moxibustion in women with pregnancy-related anxiety and previous depression: A preliminary study.J Clin Med Resh. 2017;9(6):525-527. doi:10.14740/jocmr3009wBlake H.Physical activity and exercise in the treatment of depression.Front Psychiatry.2012;3:106. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00106Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-844. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Screening for perinatal depression.Dagher RK, Bruckheim HE, Colpe LJ, Edwards E, White DB.Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30(2):154-159. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8862Al-abri K, Edge D, Armitage CJ.Prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2023;58(11):1581-1590. doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02386-9Alhusen J, Alvarez C.Perinatal depression.Nurse Pract.2016;41(5):50–55. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000480589.09290.3eNational Institute of Mental Health.Perinatal depression.Rollè L, Giordano M, Santoniccolo F, Trombetta T.Prenatal attachment and perinatal depression: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(8). doi:10.3390/ijerph17082644National Alliance on Mental Illness.Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Stuart-Parrigon K, Stuart, S.Perinatal depression: An update and overview.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2014; 16(9):468. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0468-6Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J, et al.Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice.Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20182359. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3259Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205US Preventive Services Task Force.Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA.2019;321(6):580–587. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0007Stamou G, García-Palacios A, Botella C.Cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of post-natal depression: a narrative review.BMC Psychol.2018;6:28. doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0240-5Lenze SN, Potts MA.Brief interpersonal psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy in a low-income population: A randomized controlled trial.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:151-157. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.029Berle JØ, Spigset O.Antidepressant use during breastfeeding.Curr Womens Health Rev. 2011;7(1):28-34. doi:10.2174/157340411794474784Dubovicky M, Belovicova K, Csatlosova K, Bogi E.Risks of using SSRI / SNRI antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation.Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2017;10(1):30–34. doi:10.1515/intox-2017-0004Suzuki S, Tobe C.Effect of acupressure, acupuncture and moxibustion in women with pregnancy-related anxiety and previous depression: A preliminary study.J Clin Med Resh. 2017;9(6):525-527. doi:10.14740/jocmr3009wBlake H.Physical activity and exercise in the treatment of depression.Front Psychiatry.2012;3:106. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00106Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-844. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Screening for perinatal depression.

Dagher RK, Bruckheim HE, Colpe LJ, Edwards E, White DB.Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30(2):154-159. doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8862

Al-abri K, Edge D, Armitage CJ.Prevalence and correlates of perinatal depression.Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2023;58(11):1581-1590. doi:10.1007/s00127-022-02386-9

Alhusen J, Alvarez C.Perinatal depression.Nurse Pract.2016;41(5):50–55. doi:10.1097/01.NPR.0000480589.09290.3e

National Institute of Mental Health.Perinatal depression.

Rollè L, Giordano M, Santoniccolo F, Trombetta T.Prenatal attachment and perinatal depression: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(8). doi:10.3390/ijerph17082644

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.

American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.

Stuart-Parrigon K, Stuart, S.Perinatal depression: An update and overview.Curr Psychiatry Rep.2014; 16(9):468. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0468-6

Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J, et al.Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice.Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20182359. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3259

Albert PR.Why is depression more prevalent in women?J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015;40(4):219-221. doi:10.1503/jpn.150205

US Preventive Services Task Force.Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA.2019;321(6):580–587. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.0007

Stamou G, García-Palacios A, Botella C.Cognitive-behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of post-natal depression: a narrative review.BMC Psychol.2018;6:28. doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0240-5

Lenze SN, Potts MA.Brief interpersonal psychotherapy for depression during pregnancy in a low-income population: A randomized controlled trial.J Affect Disord. 2017;210:151-157. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.029

Berle JØ, Spigset O.Antidepressant use during breastfeeding.Curr Womens Health Rev. 2011;7(1):28-34. doi:10.2174/157340411794474784

Dubovicky M, Belovicova K, Csatlosova K, Bogi E.Risks of using SSRI / SNRI antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation.Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2017;10(1):30–34. doi:10.1515/intox-2017-0004

Suzuki S, Tobe C.Effect of acupressure, acupuncture and moxibustion in women with pregnancy-related anxiety and previous depression: A preliminary study.J Clin Med Resh. 2017;9(6):525-527. doi:10.14740/jocmr3009w

Blake H.Physical activity and exercise in the treatment of depression.Front Psychiatry.2012;3:106. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00106

Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al.Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: a joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.Sleep. 2015;38(6):843-844. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How much sleep do I need?

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