Frequently Asked Questions About
Postpartum Depression

Q. How do I know if I have postpartum depression?

A. If you're not feeling like yourself.
(Check and see if you relate to the symptoms listed below)

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Q. Am I still postpartum?

A. The word postpartum is used to describe the first year of your baby's life. During pregnancy or any loss related to pregnancy can also bring on these reactions. It's important to know where you are on a continuum of time—in other words, how old is the baby?

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Q. How long will it last?

A. The duration of the reaction to birth is dependent upon which part of the continuum is experienced, when it is recognized, and how it is treated. These variations also depend on previous postpartum experiences and treatments. The duration of distress will be affected by how well a woman responds to treatment and may last from days to years. EVERYONE AND EVERY SITUATION IS UNIQUE.

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Postpartum Emotional Syndromes are possible reactions to childbirth. This can be expressed on a continuum or spectrum of severities, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It is very important not to ignore the baby blues since the onset of severe cases occurs during the same period and may exhibit the same symptoms.


Symptoms

Mild		Mild to Moderate		Severe
Baby Blues		Depression / Anxiety		Puerperal Psychosis Severe Depression Psychotic Depression
Insomnia Exhaustion Tearfulness Confusion Overwhelmed Feelings		Depressed Mood Tension Irritability Lost Sexual Interest Physical Complaints Exaggerated Baby Blues		Hallucination Delusion Violent Behavior Agitation Excessive Fatigue Distortion

Onset

Day 1 - Week 6		Week 6 - Year 1		Day 3 - Mo. 1

Interventions

Education Support Sleep Nutrition Exercise Sharing		Education Support Sleep Nutrition Exercise Sharing Professional Care Medication		Education Support Professional Care Hospitalization Sleep Medication Exercise Sharing

Causes

The etiology is not known with certainty. Research has been conducted in two separate, related and equally important fields: physiology and psychology. A woman's body changes during pregnancy and postpartum. Internal and external stresses impact the woman. Theories abound, but conclusions do not, as yet, exist.

For further information about the research in this field,
please contact the MARCÉ SOCIETY:

©1989-2007 Jane I. Honikman