Red Flags — - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

OTHER FACTORS
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Postpartum “blues” are considered normal. They affect up to 80% of new mothers. They can occur 3
to 4 days after birth and can last up to 2 weeks. With good physical care and emotional support, these
symptoms will go away (e.g., crying spells, feeling sad, irritability, frustration).
Untreated postpartum depression impacts a child’s development, as parents may have altered
ability to be attentive, attuned and able to respond appropriately to the infant or child{ren}. For
more information on how red flag behaviours may be present in families experiencing postpartum
depression, please see sections on: Attachment, Social/Emotional, Abuse, Behaviour, Family
Environmental Stressors.
Postpartum Depression may start prenatally, and is part of the spectrum of postpartum mood
disorders. A woman who has a personal or family history of depression/anxiety and/or history of abuse
or neglect may be at increased risk of postpartum depression.
Red Flags for Postpartum Depression:
If mom is experiencing any of the following beyond 2 weeks of the birth of the child:
►► Sad and tearful
►► Exhaustion
►► Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
►► Feeling overwhelmed with inability to
concentrate
►► Reduced interest or pleasure in family
and/or activities
►► Hopelessness and frustration
►► Restlessness, irritability or anger
►► Extreme highs, full of energy
►► Guilt and shame, thinking she is not a
good mother
►► Poor attachment (e.g., unable to read
baby’s cues)
►► Afraid to be alone with baby
►► Repeated scary thoughts about the baby
►► Thoughts of harming self or baby
►► Altered mood; anxiety and/or depression
►► Lack of supports/partner
►► Recent stressful life event
►► Isolation, lack of transportation
►► Financial concerns which may lead to
inadequate access to food and/or housing
►► Unrealistic expectations of self or child
►► Substance abuse
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
See Postpartum Depression in the Where to Go
for Help section at the back of this document.
38 Red Flags: Early Identification in Leeds, Grenville & Lanark November 2007