While having a baby can be such a joyful experience in many ways, it is not without difficulty for many young parents. According to Postpartum Support International*, many parents experience mood changes during or after birth, and 15-20% of parents may experience more significant mood changes, such as heightened depression and/or anxiety. These types of symptoms may arise anywhere from 2-3 weeks post birthing experience all the way up to 12 months after birth. These symptoms are much more than the “baby blues” that people talk about, and they can be very scary. Perinatal mood disorders can be found in parents of all cultures, ages, income levels, races and they do not just happen to the parent who has birthed but can also affect members within the family.

 

Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or mood disorders may present before birth as well. Some reasons may be: infertility, miscarriage, or pregnancy loss. All of these situations can put an individual at higher risk for developing a perinatal mood disorder. According to the CDC*, 1 in 8 individuals will experience depressive symptoms after birth.