Understanding perinatal depression is important to help find healing and support. Being able to identify what you or a loved one is going through will help you find support and care.

Perinatal depression affects both mothers and their children. It is important to identify and support new mothers early on. This reduces the impact of perinatal depression. Treatment options may include counseling, support groups, and medication, if needed.

If you feel you may harm yourself or your baby, you or a loved one should call 988 immediately or reach out to Your Life Iowa at 855-581-8111. Reach out now to find support and information to stay safe.

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What is it?

Depression is a medical condition that can occur during pregnancy. It can also occur in the first year after childbirth. Depression causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest in things you like to do. It usually needs treatment to help you get better. If you think you have depression, tell your doctor or midwife. Remember, it is not your fault. It is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. It affects up to one in five women during pregnancy and postpartum. 

Symptoms of perinatal depression include:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
  • Feeling anxious, restless or moody
  • Loss of interest in things you like to do
  • Feelings of guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Thinking about death or suicide (killing yourself)
  • Excessive concern for the baby
  • Change in sleeping patterns
  • Change in appetite
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Withdrawal from friends, family and social activities
  • Neglecting responsibilities 

Baby blues

The "blues" usually begin in the first week after birth. They are a result of hormonal changes in the body. These changes can lead to feelings of anxiety, crying and restlessness. It is important to know that these emotions are temporary. As hormone levels stabilize the symptoms usually stop on their own. If the blues last longer than two weeks after delivery or seem to get worse, call your doctor or midwife. 

Symptoms of baby blues include:

  • Crying, even over little things
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Confusion
  • Sadness
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability

Perinatal depression

This is a type of depression that happens during pregnancy and the postpartum period. 

Perinatal depression symptoms1 may include:

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings
  • Crying too much
  • Difficulty bonding with your baby
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
  • Inability to sleep, call insomnia, or sleeping too much
  • Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
  • Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
  • Intense irritability and anger
  • Hopelessness
  • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
  • Restlessness
  • Severe anxiety or panic attacks
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a mental health condition. It occurs most often in women with bipolar disorder. It is serious and requires immediate medical attention. Postpartum psychosis is rare. Only one out of every 1,000 women who give birth will develop this condition. The onset is usually sudden. 

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include:

  • Hallucinations are when you see or hear things that are not there. Hearing voices when no one is around
  • Delusions or strange beliefs you view things in a different way than what is real.
  • Paranoia and suspiciousness
  • Feeling very irritated
  • Insomnia (can't sleep)
  • Hyperactivity (can't sit still)
  • Difficulty communicating at times
  • Rapid mood swings
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
  • Feel guilt or shame about the disturbing thoughts you are having
  • Past history of anxiety or mood disorders (biopolar disorder, depression)
  • Family history
  • Stressful life events
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Treatment options

Various treatment options can be helpful for PPD. Each option has its unique approach, advantages, and disadvantages. Our YLI counselors can help you find the right one for you.

  • Medication therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Hospitalization

Learn more about treatment options.

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Who is at risk?

Risk factors for postpartum depression include:

  • A change in hormone levels after childbirth.
  • Previous experience of depression or anxiety.
  • Family history of depression or mental illness.
  • Stress involved in caring for a newborn and managing new life changes.
  • Having a challenging baby who cries more than usual, is hard to comfort, or whose sleep and hunger needs are irregular and hard to predict.
  • Having a baby with special needs (premature birth, medical complications, illness).
  • First-time motherhood, very young motherhood, or older motherhood.
  • Other emotional stressors, such as the death of a loved one or family problems.
  • Financial or employment problems.
  • Isolation and lack of social support.
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Maternal health resources

Iowa's Healthy Pregnancy Program

This maternal health program provides education, resources and support to pregnant and postpartum women. 

Doula services for African American/Black identifying pregnant women

Limited Doula services are currently available through this pilot project. These services are available in Polk, Black Hawk, Scott and Dubuque Counties. A doula is a trained, non-medical professional. They provide continuous emotional and physical support before, during and after childbirth.

Title X Family Planning Program

Title X Family Planning Program provides comprehensive family planning and preventative health services. The family planning clinics offer reproductive health services and community education. These services include family planning, HPV vaccination, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). They also provide screening for:

  • Breast and cervical cancer.
  • Obesity
  • Substance use (alcohol, drugs, smoking)
  • Mental health
  • Intimate partner violence
Breastfeeding & nutrition - Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for:

  • Babies
  • Children under the age of five
  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Women who have had a baby in the last 6 months
Family support programs

Family support programs are also known as home visiting programs. Their primary goal is to share information, provide education and champion families.

Intimate Partner Violence

Questions about safety planning? Contact the Iowa Victim Service Call Center at 1-800-770-1650 or text "IOWAHELP" to 20121. They are dedicated to helping those are hurting. They are here for you and will believe you. They want to restore hope, safety and freedom from violence. It's free, confidential and available 24/7.

Community Health Centers

Across Iowa there are community health centers ready to assist women. They provide access to medical, dental, behavioral health and eyecare. They provide low-cost services under one roof. Income or insurance status does not matter. They value diversity, inclusiveness and culture. Find a health center near you.

Find a childcare provider
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