Welcome! You're not alone here.
Mood and anxiety changes during and after pregnancy can affect mothers, fathers, birth parents and partners. In fact, one in four mothers, one in ten fathers, and four in five birth parents are affected.
The good news is help is available, and when you reach out for support, it gets better.
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Baby Blues
The "baby blues" happen within a couple of days after birth, and usually go away on their own within two weeks. Symptoms may include weepy periods and mood swings.
If symptoms don’t go away after two weeks, talk to your health care provider.
Reach out anytime; it’s never too early or too late.
Perinatal Mental Health Disorders
The perinatal period includes pregnancy, post-loss, and 12 months postpartum. (source: PSI, 2023)
There are many different forms of mental health disorders you might experience during pregnancy and after the birth of a child. With the right help, you will get better.
Perinatal Depression |
Symptoms may include:
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Perinatal Anxiety |
Symptoms may include:
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Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
Symptoms include:
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Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) |
| Postpartum PTSD is often caused by a traumatic or frightening childbirth or past trauma. Symptoms may include flashbacks of the trauma with feelings of anxiety and the need to avoid things related to that event. |
Bi-Polar Mood Disorders |
| Many people are diagnosed for the first time with bipolar depression or mania during pregnancy and afterward. Bipolar mood disorder can appear as severe depression. |
Postpartum Psychosis |
Symptoms include:
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Check out the New Dad Manual on a website that is for dads, by dads.
Fathers' Mental Health
Fathers and non-birthing parents can also experience mood changes during pregnancy and/or after the baby is born. Most symptoms of depression are the same for men and women, but they may look different for men. Some common symptoms of depression in men are:
- mood swings
- anger and irritability
- physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue
- hyperactive behaviour
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Take time for yourself
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Get counselling
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Consider medication
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Be patient. It takes time for recovery.
Get started.
Take the first step toward feeling better by connecting with the care you deserve.
If you're having thoughts of suicide, or harm to self or others, call 911.
“Just know you worked hard, you did a good job, and there will be more beautiful moments ahead. There are also others that feel the way you do. I’ve been there too. You are not alone.”
Overcoming Depression while Weaning from Breastfeeding
What can family and friends do?
- Listen and support their feelings.
- Encourage them to seek professional help.
- Develop your relationship with the baby.
- Ask them how you can help.
- Educate yourself about perinatal mood disorders.
- Take some time for yourself.
- Find someone to talk to.
- Don’t take Perinatal Mood Disorder personally. It's not anyone’s fault.
References |
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