Postpartum depression

Postpartum Depression also called postnatal depression is a type of clinical depression which can affect women, typically after childbirth

Updated: Mar 6, 2012

Risk Factors

1.    Hormonal factors

Although levels of estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol fall dramatically within 48 hours after delivery, women with postpartum depression do not differ significantly from nondepressed.

      2.     Psychosocial factors

Women who report inadequate social supports, marital discord or dissatisfaction, or recent negative life events, such as a death in the family, financial difficulties, or loss of employment, are more likely to experience postpartum depression.

3.    Biologic vulnerability

Women with a previous history of depression, a family history of a mood disorder, or depression during the current pregnancy are at increased risk for postpartum depression and have recurrence of up to 90%.