If you’re asking this question, the first thing we want to say is: you’re already doing something right by paying attention to how you feel. Postpartum depression (PPD) is common, treatable, and not a reflection of your ability to love or care for your baby.
Start by Naming What You’re Feeling
PPD can look different from person to person. It’s not always sadness. It can show up as:
- Persistent anxiety or a sense of dread
- Irritability or anger that feels out of character
- Feeling numb or disconnected from your baby
- Trouble sleeping even when the baby is asleep
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts
- Feeling like you’re failing no matter what you do
These feelings going on for more than two weeks, or interfering with your ability to function, are signs worth taking seriously.
Reach Out to a Professional
Your OB, midwife, or primary care provider can screen you for PPD, and many pediatricians screen for it at well-baby visits too. Don’t wait for your six-week postpartum checkup if you’re struggling now, call and ask to be seen sooner. Treatment options include:
- Therapy, especially with a perinatal mental health specialist
- Medication, which can often be safely combined with breastfeeding
- Support groups specifically for postpartum parents
- A combination of the above
Build Your Support System Now
PPD tends to worsen in isolation and improve with support. That can look like:
- Asking your partner or a family member to take a night shift so you can sleep
- Bringing in a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist so you’re not carrying everything alone
- Being honest with friends about how you’re really doing, not just “we’re surviving”
You Are Not Alone in This
An estimated 1 in 7 postpartum parents experience PPD. It is one of the most common complications of childbirth, and one of the most treatable. Asking for help is not a failure; it’s the thing that gets you back to feeling like yourself.
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please treat that as an emergency: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) right away, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Helpful resources: Postpartum Support International, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do about postpartum depression?
If you think you may have postpartum depression, reach out to your OB, midwife, or primary care provider for a screening, and lean on your support system instead of trying to push through alone. Postpartum depression is common and treatable, and asking for help early makes recovery easier.
At SLC Newborn Care, our team provides overnight newborn care for families across the Salt Lake City area. Reach out to us with any questions.
This post is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you’re experiencing symptoms of PPD, please reach out to your healthcare provider.