Postnatal depression
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate support.
Key facts
- Postnatal depression is common, affecting up to 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads.
- Common symptoms of postnatal depression include low mood, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of hopelessness.
- Unlike 'baby blues', postnatal depression lasts longer, is more severe and doesn’t usually go away without help.
- Your doctor or healthcare nurse can give you advice about support and treatment that may be right for you.
- If you are struggling, ask for help. It’s important to seek help if you think you may have postnatal depression — this is a common condition, and there’s no need to feel ashamed.
What is postnatal depression?
Many new parents feel tired or overwhelmed, but postnatal depression is different. In postnatal depression, feelings of sadness, numbness or hopelessness last longer, are more severe and affect your ability to cope with and enjoy your daily life. A low mood is also often accompanied by physical symptoms such as trouble sleeping and changes in appetite or eating habits. Postnatal depression can last for a long time, and usually gets worse if it’s not treated.
Postnatal depression is common, affecting about 1 in 5 Australian mums and 1 in 10 dads in the first year after they have a baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. If you are struggling with depression, there’s lots of support available to help you get back to enjoying life and your new baby.
What is the difference between ‘baby blues’ and postnatal depression?
About 4 out of 5 new mums experience ‘baby blues’ in the first week or so after having a baby. These feelings are usually due to the hormonal changes that happen after during pregnancy and birth. If you have 'baby blues', you may feel moody, anxious, tearful or have difficulty sleeping. Although these feelings can be challenging, they usually pass quickly on their own with no special treatment.
In postnatal depression, your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, may be more severe and often interfere with your ability to function normally. Unlike 'baby blues', postnatal depression doesn’t usually go away on its own. This can be especially tough to cope with when you are recovering from birth and have a new baby to look after.
It can be hard to know if what you’re feeling is normal or might be the start of something more serious. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor or child health nurse.
What is the difference between postnatal anxiety and depression?
Both anxiety and depression are more common after the birth of a baby. Many people who have postnatal anxiety will have postnatal depression at the same time. Some symptoms are similar, but anxiety and depression are different conditions that may need different treatments. In postnatal depression, your mood is usually affected, while in postnatal anxiety, you will have feelings of worry or fear that are difficult to control. In both conditions, you may struggle to cope with your daily activities.
Am I at risk of postnatal depression?
There are risk factors that increase your chance of developing postnatal depression:
- a history of depression or mental illness
- previous pregnancy losses
- a difficult pregnancy or birth
- a baby who is unwell or difficult to settle
- a history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- a lack of social support
Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop postnatal depression.
If you have any of these risk factors, make sure you have enough practical and psychological support during your pregnancy and after your baby’s birth. This can help to reduce your chance of developing depression and help you to cope better if you do become unwell.
What are signs of postnatal depression?
People will experience postnatal depression differently, but many people will have similar symptoms or difficulties. It’s a good idea to be aware of the common signs of postnatal depression since they are often missed or dismissed as a normal part of life with a new baby.
Common signs of postnatal depression you might notice include:
- feeling low or not feeling anything (feeling numb)
- feeling hopeless or worthless
- losing interest in others, including your new baby
- sleeping too much, or having difficulty sleeping
- changes in appetite, together with weight loss or weight gain
- difficulty coping with daily activities
- thoughts of harming yourself or your child
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate support.
How is postnatal depression diagnosed?
If you notice symptoms of postnatal depression, talk to your doctor, midwife or child health nurse. They may ask about how you have been feeling, give you a questionnaire to complete and ask to speak with your partner, if you have one. They may also do a physical examination.
Try to be as honest as you can — this will make it easier for the doctor or nurse to give you the treatment and support you need. Remember, postnatal anxiety and depression are extremely common. There’s no need to feel ashamed.
Personal story — video
What is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale?
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a questionnaire used to help identify people who may have postnatal depression and/or anxiety. The questionnaire contains 10 statements about how you have been feeling. For each statement, you are asked to choose the response that best matches how you have felt over the past 7 days. Each response corresponds to a number. If your total score for the questionnaire is over 13 points, you should seek help from your doctor or midwife since you may have postnatal depression.
It’s a good idea to complete the EPDS together with your doctor or midwife, who can provide you with more information and support. You can complete the EPDS at home on the Beyond Blue website.
It’s also important to remember that the EPDS cannot be used to diagnose postnatal depression by itself. Only a trained health professional can fully assess your symptoms, give you a diagnosis and recommend the right treatment for you.
How is postnatal depression treated?
If your symptoms are mild, it might be enough to get extra support from your family, friends, doctor or nurse. If your symptoms are greater, your doctor might recommend psychological therapies or an antidepressant medication. Your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and disadvantages of any treatment, and the impact of any medication on breastfeeding.
If you are struggling with postnatal depression, it’s especially important to look after your physical and mental health. You can do this by:
- accepting practical help and emotional support from friends and friends
- eating a healthy diet
- keeping active
- planning for regular, quality sleep
- using stress-management techniques, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing
It can be especially difficult to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle while recovering from birth and looking after your new baby. There is no shame in asking for and accepting help from family and friends. Self-care is important to keep yourself physically and mentally healthy. Remember that looking after yourself benefits your whole family, especially your new baby.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental illness that starts soon after someone gives birth. In postpartum psychosis, a person loses touch with reality and may experience confusion, severe agitation, delusions (fixed and untrue thoughts that may be distressing) and/or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there). The symptoms of postpartum psychosis often come on quickly and can be scary and distressing for the person affected as well as their loved ones.
Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency and needs to be treated straight away. If left untreated, it can be very dangerous for both you and your new baby. If you are concerned that you or someone you love is affected, get help straight away.
Who can I talk to for advice and support?
- Talk to your partner, or someone else you trust.
- Ask your GP, midwife or child healthcare nurse for advice.
- Call one of these support services:
- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) — 1300 726 306
- ForWhen — 1300 24 23 22 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm)
- Gidget Foundation — online and telehealth support — 1300 22 4636
- Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636

Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: July 2022
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Perinatal anxiety and depression: Signs and symptoms | PANDA
Perinatal anxiety and depression can be mild, moderate or severe. The symptoms can begin suddenly after birth or gradually in the weeks and months after.
Read more on Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) website

Perinatal depression
Becoming a parent brings a wide range of emotions, ranging from joy and excitement to stress and apprehension. But depression is more than just a low mood – it’s a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.
Read more on Beyond Blue website

What Is Perinatal Depression And Anxiety?
What Is Perinatal Depression And Anxiety? CLINICAL DEFINITION OF PERINATAL DEPRESSION Pregnancy and the first year of parenthood (the perinatal period) is a unique time and involves major changes in a person’s life
Read more on Gidget Foundation Australia website

Perinatal depression | Depression | ReachOut Australia
When someone has perinatal depression, they experience a range of symptoms. There are a range of things you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Read more on ReachOut.com website

Symptoms of perinatal depression - COPE
COPE's purpose is to prevent and improve the quality of life of those living with emotional and mental health problems that occur prior to and within the perinatal period.
Read more on COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence website

Management of perinatal depression- COPE
COPE's purpose is to prevent and improve the quality of life of those living with emotional and mental health problems that occur prior to and within the perinatal period.
Read more on COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence website

Gidget Foundation - Medicare help for Perinatal Depression
Medicare help for Perinatal Depression is available. Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Schedule
Read more on Gidget Foundation Australia website

Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Explained | THIS WAY UP
Understanding the signs, symptoms and treatment options available for those suffering Perinatal Depression & Anxiety in Australia.
Read more on This Way Up website

Risk factors for perinatal depression - Partners to Parents
Find out what risk factors increase the likelihood that you will experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy or following childbirth.
Read more on Partners to Parents website

Things to remember about perinatal depression - COPE
COPE's purpose is to prevent and improve the quality of life of those living with emotional and mental health problems that occur prior to and within the perinatal period.
Read more on COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence website

Top results
Psychosocial and psychological interventions for postpartum depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Although the methodological quality of the majority of trials was, in general, not strong, the meta-analysis results suggest that psychosocial and psychological interventions are an effective treatment option for women suffering from postpartum depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

What is Depression / Major Depressive Disorder? | Ausmed
It’s human nature to feel down in the dumps, on occasion. Depression, however, is a diagnosable medical condition that presents in feelings of intense sadness, negativity and low-mood, lasting for a long period of time.
Read more on Ausmed Education website

Psychosocial and psychological interventions for treating antenatal depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The evidence is inconclusive to allow us to make any recommendations for interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of antenatal depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Overall, psychosocial and psychological interventions significantly reduce the number of women who develop postpartum depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Depression
Depression is a mood state that is characterised by significantly lowered mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that are normally enjoyable. Such depressed mood is a common and normal experience in the population. However, a major depressive episode can be distinguished from this `normal’ depression by its severity, persistence, duration, and the presence of characteristic symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances).
Read more on CRUfAD – Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression website

Exercise for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Exercise is moderately more effective than a control intervention for reducing symptoms of depression, but analysis of methodologically robust trials only shows a smaller effect in favour of exercise
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Psychostimulants for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is some evidence that in the short-term, PS reduce symptoms of depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Relaxation for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Relaxation techniques were more effective at reducing self-rated depressive symptoms than no or minimal treatment
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Family therapy for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The current evidence base is too heterogeneous and sparse to draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of family therapy in the treatment of depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Folate for depression | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: The limited available evidence suggests folate may have a potential role as a supplement to other treatment for depression
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline
24 hour health advice you can count on
Government Accredited with over 140 information partners
We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice
Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.