Pregnancy and new motherhood/fatherhood is expected to be an exciting and joyful time. But what is the impact of perinatal or postpartum depression? Perinatal depression may start before or after birth, and is the most common obstetric complication in the US, yet half the time it's not recognized or treated. This may cause problems with breastfeeding, attachment and bonding. This depression is more intense and lasts longer than the “baby blues,” which refers to the common sadness, tiredness and worry that many women feel after having a baby, and resolves on its own in a few days. In this episode, we discuss the severity of perinatal depression, the signs and symptoms, and diagnosis and treatment.
This episode written by Dr. Dean Blumberg and Dr. Lena Rothstein.
We thank Dr. Erik Orlando Fernandez y Garcia from the UC Davis Children's Hospital for reviewing this topic, although Drs. Dean and Lena are responsible for any errors or misinformation.
Supplemental material:

* The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Screening for Perinatal Depression

* The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Resources for Women and Patients: Postpartum Depression

* The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Resources for Women and Patients: Depression

* Zero to Three Perinatal Depression: More than the Baby Blues

* American Academy of Pediatrics Infants, Family Are Affected by Mother’s Perinatal Depression

* American Academy of Pediatrics Maternal Depression Resources

* American Academy of Pediatrics policy Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice

* British royal family mental health stigma initiative Heads Together

Photo from the Centre for Perinatal Psychology