Pregnancy-Related Depression and Anxiety

What is Pregnancy-Related Depression and Anxiety?

Pregnancy-related depression and anxiety occur during pregnancy or after giving birth, including after a pregnancy loss. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and present at any time during pregnancy and up to a year after childbirth.

1 in 5 women suffer from pregnancy-related depression and anxiety, making it the most common complication of pregnancy, but it can be treated. Learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and ways you or a loved one can get help.

How is it different from "baby blues"?

In the beginning, pregnancy-related depression and anxiety can look like the “baby blues” because they share similar symptoms such as worry, crying, and fatigue. The difference is that with the “baby blues,” the feelings are somewhat mild, last a week or two, and go away on their own.

Who can get it?

Parents of every culture, age, income level, and race can experience pregnancy-related depression and anxiety. Women are most frequently affected, but it can also affect fathers, partners, and close family members.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms can start anytime during pregnancy or the first year after giving birth. They differ for everyone and might include the following:

Feelings of anger or irritability
Lack of interest in the baby
Loss of appetite and trouble sleeping
Crying and sadness
Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
Loss of interest, joy, or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
Possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

What are the risk factors?

Each individual is uniquely impacted by factors that can put them at risk of developing Pregnancy-Related Depression and Anxiety. Here are some of the most common:

Personal or family history of depression/anxiety
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD or PMS)
Inadequate support in caring for the baby
Child care issues and intention to return to work
Financial stress
Marital/relationship stress
Complications in pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding
Major recent life event: loss, house move, job loss
Mothers of multiples
Mother of infants in NICU
Infertility treatment
A history of trauma and/or abuse
Unintended pregnancy or a negative attitude toward the pregnancy
Sleep deprivation
Miscarriage or infant loss
Surrogate pregnancy/adoption or teen pregnancy

How is it treated?

Treatment of Pregnancy-Related Depression and Anxiety: Integrated Model of Support

Ideally, a team approach should be taken when treating women with Pregnancy-Related Depression and anxiety, which includes: healthcare and psychiatric providers, pharmacists, psychological services, and social support networks.

Non-medicine based treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapies are the first-line choice for the treatment of mild to moderate pregnancy-related depression and anxiety.

However, in moderate to severe cases, medicine-based treatment should be considered

Treatment of mild-to-moderate pregnancy-related depression and anxiety may include psychological and behavioral therapies (individual or group counseling)
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and
Partner-assisted IPT

Additional Treatment: Social and partner support. Types of social support include emotional, practical, informational, and peer.

Medicine-Based Treatment: For patients with more severe symptoms and those who do not respond to non-pharmacologic therapy, medication therapy may be appropriate.

Where can I find help?

Learn about ways to get help and find a health care provider or access treatment. You can contact the free and confidential National Maternal Health Hotline online or by calling or texting 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262). If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at https://988lifeline.org/. In life-threatening situations, call 911.

You can also find the support and care you need, both in-person and online, like mental health professionals, support, or advocacy groups.