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After your baby is born, it is quite common to feel anxious and sad for the first couple of weeks, which is also known as the baby blues. However, if after two weeks you still don't feel like yourself then you could be experiencing a postpartum mood disorder (PPMD). PPMD affects 1 in 5 people. Postpartum psychosis is rare. It is a great idea to seek help if you're worried that you have one of these more serious conditions. Remember that anyone can experience challenges with mental health and there are many supports available. Read the links below to learn more about postpartum mental health and supports available to you.
Women’s College Hospital, in collaboration with researchers across Canada, has created an online patient decision aid (PDA) that has the potential to improve the decision-making process for individuals regarding antidepressant use in pregnancy. The PDA is currently being evaluated in a research study. All aspects of the study are conducted online and over the phone, making it accessible to people all across Canada.
Individuals may be eligible to participate in the online PDA research study if they are:
- Canadian residents ≥ 18 years of age
- Are in the first trimester of pregnancy or planning a pregnancy within 1 year
- Have been offered to start or continue using an antidepressant to treat depression
- Are having trouble deciding what to do
- Best Start by Health Nexus - Life with a new baby is not always what you expect
- The MotHERS Program - Postpartum depression
- HealthyFamiliesBC - Coping with postpartum depression and anxiety
- National Health Service (UK) - Mental health problems when pregnant
- Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario - Crisis support
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Postpartum depression
- Bipolar UK - Booklet on risks, symptoms and medication for bipolar disorder in pregnancy and childbirth
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale - Self assessment
- Mount Sinai Hospital - Maternal Infant Program and Perinatal Mental Health
- BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services - Best practice guidelines for mental health disorders in the perinatal period
- Zero to Three - Infant and early childhood mental health
- Best Start by Health Nexus - A healthy start for baby and me
- Ontario Public Health Units – call and ask about supports available
- Ministry of Health - Healthy Babies Healthy Children program
- Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres - Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program
- Rainbow Health Ontario service provider directory (search ‘mental health’)