Who Is Affected by Postpartum Depression?
About 50%-75% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” after delivery. About 10% of these women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression after delivery. One in 1,000 women develop the more serious condition called postpartum psychosis. What Factors Increase the Risk Of Developing Postpartum Depression? • Having a history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) • Age at time of pregnancy — the younger you are, the higher the risk • Living alone. • Limited social support. • Children — the more you have, the more likely you are to be depressed in a subsequent pregnancy. • Marital conflict. • Ambivalence about the pregnancy. • A history of depression during pregnancy. Types of Postpartum Depression Postpartum blues — Better known as the “baby blues,” this condition affects between 50%-75% of women after delivery. If you are experiencing the baby blues, you will have frequent, prolonged bouts of crying for no apparent reason, sadness and anxiety. The con
