Peripartum Depression

Last Updated: July 13, 2023

Postpartum depression is a transient depressive state that occurs after the birth of a child and is a target for antidepressant compounds that have been confirmed to be safe for both mother and child.

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Peripartum Depression falls under theMental Healthcategory.

What is peripartum depression?

Peripartum depression (PPD) is a depressive episode that begins during pregnancy or within 4 weeks after delivery and affects approximately 1 in 10 to 1 in 5 new birthing parents, with higher rates in adolescents. It can also occur in nonbirthing parents and is distinct from the more common "baby blues."

What are the “baby blues”?

Is PPD the only peripartum mood disorder?

What are the main signs and symptoms of PPD?

Peripartum depression (PPD) shares symptoms with general depression, including feelings of sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. To be classified as PPD, these symptoms must arise during pregnancy or within 4 months after giving birth.

Can psychosis occur with PPD?

How is PPD diagnosed?

Peripartum depression (PPD) is diagnosed through screening for depression and anxiety using standardized tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, followed by an assessment from a healthcare provider. The diagnostic criteria for PPD align with those for depressive episodes, with the additional requirement that symptoms onset occurs within 4 months of delivery.

What are some of the main medical treatments for PPD?

Treatment for peripartum depression is crucial and includes talk therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy), medication, lifestyle changes, and social supports. Pregnant or nursing individuals should consult a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of any medication.

Have any supplements been studied for PPD?

Several supplements have been studied for peripartum depression (PPD), including vitamin B6, vitamin D, fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and saffron. However, there are more supplements researched for major depression than for their safety and efficacy in PPD.

How could diet affect PPD?

A healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of peripartum depression, as indicated by various systematic reviews that found associations between unhealthy diets and prenatal depression, as well as an inverse relationship between healthy diets and perinatal anxiety and depression. However, all of the reviews emphasized the need for further research to confirm these findings.

Does glycemic load have any effect on PPD?

Are low levels of any vitamin associated with PPD?

Are there any other treatments for PPD?

Several alternative treatments for peripartum depression have been studied, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, exercise, massage, bright light therapy, acupuncture, and yoga.

Is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) effective for PPD?

Is exercise effective for PPD?

Is massage effective for PPD?

Is bright light therapy effective for PPD?

Is acupuncture effective for PPD?

Is yoga effective for PPD?

What causes PPD?

Peripartum depression (PPD) has no single identified cause, but several risk factors have been recognized, including personal mental health history, childcare stress, and inadequate social support. Additional factors such as socioeconomic status, urban living, and breastfeeding practices may also influence the risk of developing PPD.

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References
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Examine Database References
  1. Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Juliana Dos Santos Vaz, Dayana Rodrigues Farias, Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye, Antonio Egidio Nardi, Gilberto KacOmega-3 supplementation from pregnancy to postpartum to prevent depressive symptoms: a randomized placebo-controlled trialBMC Pregnancy Childbirth.(2017 Jun 9)
  2. Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Su KP, Huang SY, Chiu TH, Huang KC, Huang CL, Chang HC, Pariante CMOmega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder during pregnancy: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Clin Psychiatry.(2008 Apr)
  3. Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Doornbos B, van Goor SA, Dijck-Brouwer DA, Schaafsma A, Korf J, Muskiet FASupplementation of a low dose of DHA or DHA+AA does not prevent peripartum depressive symptoms in a small population based sampleProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(2009 Feb 1)
  4. Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Rees AM, Austin MP, Parker GBOmega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for perinatal depression: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trialAust N Z J Psychiatry.(2008 Mar)
  5. Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Llorente AM, Jensen CL, Voigt RG, Fraley JK, Berretta MC, Heird WCEffect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on postpartum depression and information processingAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2003 May)
  6. Depression Symptoms - Mozurkewich EL, Clinton CM, Chilimigras JL, Hamilton SE, Allbaugh LJ, Berman DR, Marcus SM, Romero VC, Treadwell MC, Keeton KL, Vahratian AM, Schrader RM, Ren J, Djuric ZThe Mothers, Omega-3, and Mental Health Study: a double-blind, randomized controlled trialAm J Obstet Gynecol.(2013 Apr)
  7. Depression Symptoms - Freeman MP, Davis M, Sinha P, Wisner KL, Hibbeln JR, Gelenberg AJOmega-3 fatty acids and supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: a randomized placebo-controlled studyJ Affect Disord.(2008 Sep)
  8. Depression Symptoms - Jamshid Tabeshpour, Farzaneh Sobhani, Seyed Alireza Sadjadi, Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri, Omid Rajabi, Zhila Taherzadeh, Saeid EslamiA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of saffron stigma (Crocus sativus L.) in mothers suffering from mild-to-moderate postpartum depressionPhytomedicine.(2017 Dec 1)
  9. Depression Symptoms - L Kashani, S Eslatmanesh, N Saedi, N Niroomand, M Ebrahimi, M Hosseinian, T Foroughifar, S Salimi, S AkhondzadehComparison of Saffron versus Fluoxetine in Treatment of Mild to Moderate Postpartum Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical TrialPharmacopsychiatry.(2017 Mar)