Postnatal depression is very common and affects between ten to fifteen in every one hundred women who have had a baby.
For some mothers it can start while pregnant, but more commonly it starts at around 4-6 weeks after giving birth, and can last for a long time without effective treatment. It is normal to feel tired and emotional after giving birth and overwhelmed with becoming a parent. However for some people these thoughts and feelings can last and can become all-consuming; they are not merely a case of ‘baby blues’.
Fathers can also be affected by postnatal depression although they cannot be given a formal diagnosis of this.
Symptoms of postnatal depression can include:
- Feeling sad and low
- Tearful for no apparent reason
- Not feeling able to cope
- Hostile or indifferent towards your partner and/or baby
- Feeling hopeless about the future
- Feelings of guilt, anger and irritable
- Little or no motivation to do things
Some parents may worry that they might harm their baby, though this is very rare. But if you are experiencing these feelings please seek support and tell someone about how you are feeling.
Helpful Contacts
| Action on Postpartum Psychosis | National charity for women and families affected by postpartum psychosis |
| Association for Postnatal Illness | Provides support to mothers suffering from post-natal illness |
| Birth Rights | Ensures women and birthing people receive the respect and dignity they deserve in pregnancy and childbirth |
| Birth Trauma | Supports women who suffer birth trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after birth |
| BUMPS (Best use of Medicines in Pregnancy) | Reliable, evidence-based, and accurate information about use of medicines in pregnancy |
| Fathers Network Scotland | Promotes the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing of fathers in Scotland |
| LATNEM | Safe and free peer support group for mums and birthing people in the North East of Scotland |
| LGBT MUMMIES TRIBE | Provides information, guidance, and knowledge for LGBT+ women and people worldwide on the different pathways to motherhood or parenthood |
| Maternal Mental Health Alliance | UK-wide charity and network of over 100 organisations, dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental health problems have access to high quality, comprehensive perinatal mental health care |
| Maternal Mental Health Scotland | Provides information to women affected by perinatal mental health issues, their partners, families and the general public |
| Maternal OCD | Provides information and support to mums and families about perinatal OCD |
| PANDAS (PND Awareness & Support) | Offers support, empathy, and hope for every parent or network affected by perinatal mental illness |
| Parent Club | Provides up-to-date guidance from the Scottish Government on your child's health and education |
| Shetland SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) | 1:1 befriending for families who have been through the loss of a baby |
| The Breastfeeding Network | An independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others |
| Tommy’s | Support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons |
| Twins Trust | Maternity support and free resources through every milestone of your journey with twins, triplets or more |
