You Are Not Alone - Postpartum Depression

If you or a loved one is suffering from depression during pregnancy or after childbirth, you are not alone. “Many new moms have feelings of sadness and anxiety, and a percentage of pregnant women and new moms can experience a complication of pregnancy known as postpartum depression,” says Patricia McGettigan, M.S., Clinical Psychologist and Administrative Director of Holy Redeemer Counseling Center.

Most new moms experience some form of “baby blues,” feelings of sadness or worry lasting about two weeks after childbirth. For some women, these feelings do not go away and become worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing this ongoing depression, talk with your doctor. It may be postpartum depression, a mood disorder that affects about 15 percent of new moms.

If you are pregnant, you are also vulnerable to depression – it affects about 10 percent of expectant mothers. And about half of women with postpartum depression had symptoms during pregnancy. Depression that occurs both during pregnancy and up to 12 months after childbirth is called perinatal depression.

“Depression during pregnancy or following the birth of your baby does not mean you are a bad mom,” says McGettigan. “It is a psychological disorder, and it is treatable.” Experts believe that hormonal changes may be to blame, but depression is not caused by one thing.

If you think you might be depressed, make an appointment with a licensed therapist at the Redeemer Health Counseling Center at 215-914-4190 or visit our Counseling Center page.

Another excellent resource, The Postpartum Stress Center. Cartoon image provided by Karen Kleiman, Molly McIntyre, The Postpartum Stress Center, and Familius (publisher).