Call 911 for a crisis or Emergency.
Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 free confidential support.
What is Postpartum?
Postpartum is something every woman experiences after childbirth. Postpartum is the period after your sweet baby is born. This is the time when your body heals and adjusts to your new life after pregnancy. This typically takes six weeks but of course it is dependent on the individual and is case by case. During this time emotions can be all over the place due to the hormonal changes the woman is experiencing. During this time the mother is recovering from the childbirth experience, adjusting to the care of the newborn baby, possibly learning or trying to breastfeed, experiencing emotional and physical changes. Support from spouse, family, friends, and healthcare professionals are extremely important at this time.
What is Baby Blues?
Baby blues is a feeling of sadness or emotional ups and downs that many new mothers experience in the first few days or weeks after giving birth. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, teary, or anxious during this time due to hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and adjusting to life with a newborn. Unlike postpartum depression, the baby blues are usually short-lived and go away on their own. Most moms feel better after a few weeks with the right support and care.
What is Postpartum Anxiety?
Postpartum anxiety is when a new mother feels extremely worried, stressed, or overwhelmed after having a baby. It’s more than just normal new-parent concerns—it can cause constant fear about the baby’s health, trouble sleeping even when the baby is resting, a racing heart, or feelings of panic. Some moms may feel like they can’t relax or stop worrying, even when everything is fine. Postpartum anxiety is common and happens because of hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and the big life adjustment of having a baby. The good news is that with support, therapy, and sometimes medication, moms can feel better and regain peace of mind.
1 in 8 women report symptoms of depression after giving birth.
What is Postpartum Depression? (PPD)
Postpartum depression is a type of depression that some mothers experience after having a baby. Typically postpartum depression goes beyond just having the “baby blues” and can cause feelings of sadness, exhaustion, anxiety, or hopelessness that don’t go away. Moms with postpartum depression may struggle to bond with their baby, feel overwhelmed, have thoughts of hopelessness, have trouble sleeping and eating, have severe anxiety or panic attacks, and sometimes even develop psychosis. It’s not their fault, and it doesn’t mean they’re bad mothers. Postpartum depression is a medical condition caused by hormonal changes, stress, genetics, and sometimes other factors. The good news is that help is available through therapy, support, and sometimes medication, and with the right care, moms can feel better.
If you are experiencing these symptoms please reach out for help.
FOR EMERGENCIES
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby please get help immediately. Inform your partner or loved ones, call 911 or the local emergency lines.
You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
FOR NON EMERGENCIES
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Call your OB/GYN or Midwife
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Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 free confidential support.
Call: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD), English & Español
Text: “Help” to 800-944-4773
Dallas-Fort Worth Resources
Parkland offers a range of women’s health services, from basic gynecology check-ups and routine prenatal care to high-risk pregnancy care and complex surgeries. Parkland has several services available to you. Below are some links for programs available to you.
Find help near you
Postpartum Depression in Men?
FOR DADS
As with women men can also experience depression at any time, including before a baby is born. Fathers can experience the same or similar symptoms as mothers prior to baby being born, during the postpartum period, and even a year after that.
Male postpartum depression can manifest in many ways and sometimes different ways than women. Here are some common, identifiable symptoms to look for in any new dad.
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Anger
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Irritability
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Risk-taking behaviors including substance and alcohol use
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Detachment from the family
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Easily stressed
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Physical symptoms including headaches and stomachaches
When identifying postpartum in men here are few other differences to note between male postpartum depression and female postpartum depression:
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1 in 10 men experience postpartum depression compared to 1 in 7 women
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Women usually see peak symptoms around months two to three while men usually peak later in the first year
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Men tend to show more anger and risk-taking behaviors while women tend to display crying, hopelessness, loss of interest and guilt
FOR EMERGENCIES
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby please get help immediately. Inform your partner or loved ones, call 911 or the local emergency lines.
You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Please click the links below for more resources available to you: