Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

Risk factors for postpartum depression include¹:

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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