Postpartum blues

Key facts and history

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that baby blues feelings may come and go in the first few days after childbirth and usually get better within a few days or 1–2 weeks without treatment.^[2] The March of Dimes reports that up to 4 in 5 people who give birth (80 percent) experience the baby blues.^[3] The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health notes that about 50 to 85% of women experience postpartum blues during the first few weeks after delivery.^[4] The Office on Women's Health describes the baby blues as feelings of sadness, worry, or tiredness within a few days of giving birth that go away in a few days for many women.^[5]

The National Institute of Mental Health defines "baby blues" as mild and short-lasting mood changes and feelings of worry, unhappiness, and exhaustion that many women experience in the first 2 weeks after giving birth.^[6] The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health states that women with the blues more commonly report mood lability, tearfulness, anxiety or irritability rather than feelings of sadness.^[4] The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health considers the blues a normal experience following childbirth rather than a psychiatric illness.^[4] Most risk factors studied have not clearly and consistently demonstrated an association with postpartum blues.^[7]

A personal history of depression and a family history of depression are the factors most consistently shown to predict the occurrence of postpartum blues.^[8]

What the research sources say

The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health reports that during the postpartum period, about 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance.^[4] The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health notes that no specific treatment is required for postpartum blues, but sometimes the blues heralds the development of a more significant mood disorder, particularly in women who have a history of depression.^[4] The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that baby blues feelings may include crying for no clear reason, trouble sleeping, eating, and making choices, and questioning whether they can handle caring for a baby.^[2] The March of Dimes reports that baby blues usually start 2 to 3 days after birth and can last up to 2 weeks.^[3]

The Office on Women's Health notes that the baby blues usually go away within a few days.^[5] The National Institute of Mental Health states that mood changes and feelings of anxiety or unhappiness that are severe or last longer than 2 weeks after childbirth may be signs of postpartum depression.^[6] The MGH Center for Women's Mental Health observes that some investigators hypothesize that there is a subgroup of women who are particularly sensitive to the hormonal changes that take place after delivery.^[4]