Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety and Depression
Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety and DepressionAfter delivering your baby, you might experience many emotions, and not all of them are always welcome.You might become sad, anxious, or afraid.These feelings are sometimes called the “baby blues” and they may be just a normal part of adjusting to your new life—or they may be more serious.Symptoms can include mood swings, crying spells, feeling overwhelmed, losing your appetite and having trouble sleeping.For most women, the baby blues is temporary—it's usually gone within a few days but can last up to 2 weeks after childbirth.For some women, these feelings don’t go away and instead develop into postpartum depression and anxiety.Postpartum depression and anxiety are very serious.They most often show up after delivery, but sometimes you can experience postpartum depression and anxiety before birth.Moms who suffer from postpartum depression and anxiety may sleep too much or not at all, have severe mood swings, show too much or not enough concern for their baby, or withdraw from family and friends.You may also have trouble bonding with your baby or experience unwelcome thoughts about your baby.If you think you may have postpartum depression or anxiety, contact your doctor immediately.There are many ways to treat postpartum depression and anxiety. You don’t have to struggle alone.They include making sure you are getting enough sleep. New parents are often exhausted, which can raise the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.Your doctor may recommend medicines.Many moms worry about taking psychiatric medicines while breastfeeding, but research has shown that the benefit outweighs any small risk to you and your baby.Make sure you take your medicine exactly as prescribed.Talk therapy might also be prescribed. A therapist can help you identify thought patterns and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety so you can change those thoughts and behaviors that may contribute to your symptoms.Remember, if you’re feeling depressed or anxious after having a baby, don’t suffer alone.Reach out for help. If you need emotional support, reach out to the National Health Hotline–988 Lifeline.Getting treatment and support helps you care for your baby so you both can be healthy and happy.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health-related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© 2026 WebMD Ignite
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