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Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) affects about 6% to 28% of women, often co-occurring with PPD. It is characterized by constant worry or fear, which can be overwhelming and debilitating.

Symptoms of PPA Include:

• Persistent worry or fear
• Difficulty sleeping despite exhaustion
• Extreme fatigue beyond what’s typical for new parents
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or nausea

Women are twice as likely as men to experience PPA, and like PPD, it can significantly impact the ability to care for a newborn. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking help is crucial to managing anxiety and maintaining mental well-being.

Unlike the transient “baby blues,” Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a more severe and long-lasting condition that can develop anytime within the first year after childbirth. Affecting between 13% and 20% of mothers and 2% to 25% of fathers, PPD can severely impact a parent’s ability to care for their child and themselves.

Common Symptoms of PPD Include:

• Persistent feelings of inadequacy as a parent
• Overwhelming guilt about having a child
• A pervasive sense of despair and hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Disrupted sleep and appetite beyond typical new-parent adjustments
• Social withdrawal and isolation

Risk Factors for PPD:

• A history of depression or other mental illnesses
• Experiences of abuse
• High systemic inflammation (from infections, trauma, etc.)
• Pain from childbirth or breastfeeding
• Perceived negative birth experiences
• Lack of social support

PPOCD affects between 3% and 5% of new parents. It involves intrusive, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) aimed at preventing perceived dangers to the baby.

Common Obsessive Symptoms of PPOCD:

• Fear of accidental or intentional harm to the baby
• Excessive concern about the baby contracting a severe illness
• Worries about environmental toxins harming the baby
• Reluctance to be alone with the baby
• Anxiety over making decisions that could negatively affect the baby

Common Compulsive Behaviors in PPOCD:

• Removing sharp objects from the home
• Constantly checking on the baby during sleep
• Excessive cleaning and sanitizing
• Seeking frequent reassurance that the baby is unharmed
• Avoiding tasks like bathing or feeding the baby due to fear of causing harm

Postpartum Psychosis is characterized by a rapid onset of severe symptoms. These can appear within hours or days after giving birth and may include:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Mania
• Low Mood
• Rapidly Chancing Mood
• Confusion/Paranoia

Causes & Risk Factors 

The exact cause of postpartum psychosis is not fully understood, but several factors may increase the risk, including:

• A Personal or Family History of Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis

• Previous Episodes of Postpartum Psychosis

• Sleep Deprivation

• Hormonal Changes

Symptoms of Baby Blues

• Mood swings
• Sadness and crying spells
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating