Postnatal Depression - Health Service Executive

Postnatal DepressionWhat is it?What is it?After giving birth, most mothersexperience some degree ofmood swings. There are threemain kinds of postnatal moodchange:» Baby blues» Puerperal psychosis» Postnatal depression» Baby bluesThe ‘baby blues’ are so common they areconsidered normal for new mothers. Theyusually begin 2 - 4 days after your baby isborn. You may have crying spells, increasedfeelings of vulnerability, irritability, lonelinessand weariness. Although you may find itdistressing, the baby blues will pass quickly,usually within a few weeks, with supportfrom your partner, family and friends.» Puerperal psychosisPuerperal psychosis is the most extreme,and rarest, form of postnatal mood change.It affects 1 in 500 new mothers. Puerperal»means the six weeks after childbirth andpsychosis is any form of mental illnessin which you lose contact with reality.Symptoms begin soon after the birth, usuallywith the mother becoming restless, mildlyconfused and unable to sleep. This form ofdepression usually requires hospital care.Postnatal depressionPostnatal depression falls somewherebetween the baby blues and puerperalpsychosis. It may affect up to 1 in 6 newmothers, although some experts believe itaffects more than this. Symptoms maystart as baby blues and then get worse,or they may take some time to develop.It may be most obvious when your baby is4 - 6 months old.› Around 15% of new mothers in Irelandexperience postnatal depression.› The earlier it is recognised, diagnosed andtreated, the faster you will recover.› Postnatal depression can last for longerthan three months and even years if nottreated.› Often a family member or friend will noticethat there is something wrong before you do.