Key points
- Call 911 or seek emergency care for hallucinations, severe confusion, unusual beliefs, or immediate risk of harm.
You deserve support, not judgment
Mood changes after childbirth are common. Depression is a medical condition, not a personal failure or a measure of how much you love your baby.
How they differ
Baby blues often involve tearfulness, sensitivity, and feeling overwhelmed during the first days after birth. They generally improve within two weeks.
Postpartum depression is more intense, lasts longer, or interferes with daily life. Symptoms can include hopelessness, loss of interest, strong guilt, anxiety, difficulty bonding, and trouble sleeping even when there is an opportunity to rest. Depression can also begin during pregnancy.
Contact your OB promptly for concerning symptoms. You do not have to wait two weeks if symptoms are severe. ACOG: Postpartum depression
Treatment and daily support
Counseling, medication, or both can help. Therapy builds coping skills without medication side effects. Antidepressants can improve symptoms but may cause nausea, sleep changes, or other effects; many have options compatible with breastfeeding.
Specialized postpartum medicines may be appropriate for some patients. Treatment should consider severity, other health conditions, feeding plans, and medication risks.
Help with nighttime care, regular meals, gentle activity, and connection with supportive people can aid recovery. These measures do not replace treatment for significant depression. NIMH: Perinatal depression
When help is urgent
Call 911 or seek emergency care for hallucinations, severe confusion, unusual beliefs, or immediate risk of harm. These can signal postpartum psychosis or another emergency. Do not leave the affected person alone with the baby.
For suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions
Can this happen months after birth?
Yes. Keep reporting mood symptoms throughout the postpartum year.
Can I get help while breastfeeding?
Yes. Your care team can discuss compatible treatments; do not stop prescribed medicine on your own.
Questions after your baby’s birth? Contact Davie ObGyn in Davie, Florida, at 954-880-1010. New and established patients are welcome. This information supports your postpartum care and does not replace an individual medical assessment. For urgent symptoms, call your care team promptly; for an emergency, call 911. Do not use a routine online message for urgent symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: September 26, 2026. This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.