Postpartum Depression & Perinatal Mood Disorders

It’s common for mothers to experience some type of mood disorder during or after pregnancy, but it’s important to know you are not alone. Virtua offers resources to help.

During and after pregnancy, you might feel a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to overwhelmed, hopeless, or anxious. If you’re experiencing signs of postpartum depression or other pregnancy-related mood disorders, our caring team is here to support you and help you feel better again.

Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a common type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD). "Perinatal" means that these symptoms can happen during your pregnancy or the year after birth.

These symptoms can include: 

• Anxiety, intrusive or repetitive thoughts, or excessive worry
• Confusion, memory loss, or poor concentration
• Depression or sadness
• Exaggerated highs or lows
• Fatigue or exhaustion
• Feelings of inadequacy
• Fear of harming yourself or your baby
• Guilt
• Hopelessness
• Lack of interest in sexual activity
• Nervousness
• Over-concern or lack of concern for the baby
• Panic attacks
• Sleeping or eating problems
• Uncontrollable crying

Types of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Up to 80% of new parents experience "baby blues" in the first few days following delivery. You may cry for no apparent reason or be impatient, irritable, restless, or anxious. These normal postpartum emotions usually disappear within two to three weeks after delivery. 

However, some people experience significant depression and anxiety symptoms that interfere with their daily lives and interactions with others.

There are several forms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including: 

• Depression or anxiety during and after pregnancy (most common): feeling anger, sadness, irritability, and other symptoms noted above
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder during or after pregnancy: having repetitive or obsessive thoughts and a need to do things over and over to reduce anxious thoughts
• Post-traumatic stress disorder after pregnancy: distress after pregnancy caused by a traumatic birth experience
• Bipolar mood disorder: often diagnosed during or after pregnancy, symptoms include severe depression, anxiety, or mania (continuous high energy)
• Postpartum psychosis: a rare, severe, and dangerous condition with symptoms that include hearing voices or having hallucinations and distrusting those around them

If you experience any of these symptoms during pregnancy or after you deliver, you should immediately contact your OB provider.

Postpartum Depression Screening at Virtua

Virtua offers postpartum depression screening in the hospital after you give birth. You also may be screened for postpartum depression during pregnancy at your prenatal visits and after you deliver at your newborn’s first well-baby visit.

Take a depression screening online

If you or a loved one is concerned about your postpartum depression risk, we encourage you to take this online screening.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a screening tool designed to help determine your risk for developing depression and anxiety during pregnancy or after the birth of a child.

The screening consists of 10 questions that take less than five minutes to answer. The answers provided are confidential; only you have access to them.

After completing the screening, we advise printing the results so you can discuss them with your doctor or midwife. This helps your provider determine if you're experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety and helps guide your treatment.

Take the depression screening.

Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Mood Disorders Support

Virtua offers several services to help with postpartum depression and anxiety. This includes:

• Depression screening in the hospital after delivery
• Weekly postpartum depression support group, open to people during and after pregnancy
• Education and referral for treatment options that may include medication and counseling
• Specialized care for pregnant and postpartum patients experiencing depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pregnancy-related traumas
• Additional support through follow-up telephone calls

Virtua also offers telephone support for information and referrals at 866-380-2229, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Additional local and national resources

• Postpartum Support International
• NJ Speak Up Postpartum Depression Program
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) in English and Spanish