Salt Lake Valley Health Department
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Public Health Nursing
Public Health Nursing
2001 South State Street, S3800
Salt Lake City, Utah 84190-2150
(385) 468-4142
Post-Partum Depression (PPD)
Is it the baby blues or post-partum depression?
Here are two questions to ask yourself:
1. Since your new baby was born how often have you felt down, depressed or hopeless?
- Always
- Often
- Rarely
- Never
2. Since your new baby was born how have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Always
- Often
- Rarely
- Never
If you answered always or often, talk to your doctor about how you are feeling.
What is PPD?
After having a new baby it is common for women to feel down or sad. This is often called the “Baby Blues.”
Most of the time, the baby blues go away soon after the baby is born. If the baby blues don’t go away after 2 or 3 weeks, this is called postpartum depression and may need treatment.
One in eight women experience postpartum depression, so there is no reason to feel embarrassed or afraid to talk to your doctor.
Symptoms of PPD
If the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks after childbirth, you likely have PPD:
- Sadness
- Inability to sleep
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Loss of energy or motivation
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Lack of interest
- Wanting to cry
- Inability to concentrate
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Thoughts or ideas about suicide
- Worrying about hurting the newborn
- Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations and hyperventilation
Additional Information
- Mental Health Services Locator
- Maternal Child Health Library
- Postpartum Support International
- Mental Health Association of Utah
- NAMI Utah