Postpartum mood and mental health

Baby blues — weepiness, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed — affect up to 80% of new parents in the first two weeks. They peak around day 4–5 and resolve by two weeks. Not fun, but not a disorder. Postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD are different and last longer than two weeks. They can appear anytime in the first year (not just right after birth), and include persistent sadness or numbness, intrusive thoughts, panic, rage, or a sense of disconnection from the baby. If sadness, anxiety, or numbness persists beyond two weeks — or if at any point you're having thoughts of harming yourself or the baby — contact your provider immediately. Postpartum mood disorders are common, highly treatable, and not a reflection of how much you love your baby.