middot; Occurrence: Postpartum depression develops in approximately 10% of all postpartum women. The greatest risk occurs at approximately 4 weeks after delivery. middot; Contributing factors: Risks for postpartum depression include primiparity (first pregnancy), history of postpartum depression, lack of social support, and lack of stable relationships.

Very common. One in six New Zealanders will experience depression at some time in their lives. It is most common in 16-24 year olds, but can happen at any age.

Depression is a serious illness that interferes with work, study, sleep, eating and enjoying oneself. It may appear once in a person’s life, but more often occurs several times. Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression.

In the United Status, postpartum thyroiditis occurs in approximately 5-10% of women. The incidence can be greater in certain high-risk populations (see below).

middot; Yes, you may find that you have an increase in leg cramps in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Get plenty of calcium (three glasses of milk or supplement) and potassium (bananas and oranges). Stretching your legs before going to bed may help relieve cramps.

middot; It is not uncommon to have yeast infections during pregnancy. If you develop a yeast infection, it is safe for you to use over-the-counter products, such as Monistat. However, if you are early in your pregnancy, before 12 weeks, use the cream externally only. After 12 weeks, it is safe to gently use the applicator internally.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that up to 8.4% of adolescents in the United States suffer from depression. Adolescents females are two times more likely than males to develop a depressive disorder. (Back to top)

Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression. Depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy.

Postpartum depression seems to be triggered by the changes in hormone levels that occur after pregnancy. These hormonal changes are especially likely to lead to postpartum depression if you've had depression before. You are also more likely to have PPD if you have poor support from your partner, friends, or family, have a sick or colicky baby, or are under significant additional stress.

Be sure to report any feelings of postpartum blues to your health professional at your first postpartum checkup, so he or she can follow up with you. Postpartum depression may seem like the blues that have become worse. Or you may notice it weeks after delivery. (However, the less common symptoms of postpartum psychosis can be noted as soon as 1 to 2 days after delivery.)

PPD affects both you and your baby. It interferes with your ability to function normally, including caring for and bonding with your baby. Over time, your baby's development and behavior are likely to suffer from the effects of PPD.1 Getting treatment for postpartum depression is important for both you and your baby. On average, untreated PPD lasts 7 months and can continue for over a year.1 With treatment, symptoms improve much more quickly.2

Having a baby can be one of the biggest and happiest events in a woman's life. While life with a new baby can be thrilling and rewarding, it can also be hard and stressful at times. Many physical and emotional changes can happen to a woman when she is pregnant and after she gives birth. These changes can leave new mothers feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused. For many women, these feelings (called the baby blues) go away quickly.