Remember that it is not a weakness or character flaw. It’s a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen after giving birth. It is real and common, and the best part is that we can treat it.

During pregnancy, the levels of certain hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, really ramp up. They’re very high and help to ensure a healthy pregnancy. But once the baby is born, suddenly everything changes. These hormone levels drop drastically. This sudden change can confuse your brain’s chemistry and lead to postpartum depression (PPD).

Bonding can make it really tough for a mom to feel that instant lovey-dovey connection we often hear about. She might feel detached or disinterested. She might even feel overwhelmed by bonding with her baby. She does want to connect, but postpartum depression acts like a barrier, so it makes it hard to find the joy and connection that is possible.

Advocate for yourself. Individuals must advocate for themselves because screening is not required. Even when it does happen, many people don’t answer screening questions truthfully because of the stigma around postpartum depression.

PPD symptoms can affect more than just the mother. Babies can experience impaired motor, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development due to a mother’s shift in mood and energy.

Women who have little to no family or social support, are under the age of 20, have an unplanned pregnancy, have a family history of depression, experience money troubles, or have an unstable home life or relationships are more likely to develop PPD symptoms.