[Music] women with postpartum depression have intense feelings of sadness anxiety or despair that prevent them from being able to perform their daily tasks which includes caring for their newborn postpartum depression most commonly occurs one to three weeks after childbirth that can occur up to one year after having a baby this form of depression can occur in unplanned and planned pregnancies as well as in mothers of sick and healthy babies many factors increase the risk of postpartum depression one trigger is the change of hormone levels as they decrease dramatically after giving birth women who have a history of depression are also at increased risk of developing postpartum depression the symptoms of depression may be mistaken for the baby blues however the baby blues typically resolves within two weeks when the symptoms last longer than this or interfere with your ability to care for your baby this is considered postpartum depression the symptoms include depressed mood or severe mood swings excessive crying intense irritability and anger overwhelming fatigue difficulty bonding with your baby withdrawing from friends and family reduced interest in activities that used to bring you joy inability to think clearly or concentrate and even thoughts of harming yourself or others if you are feeling depressed after your baby's birth get help take the brave step to getting help for you and your family share your feelings with your partner or loved one if you have feelings of self-harm call the national suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-talk they will offer free and confidential support 24 7. if you suspect that a friend or loved one has postpartum depression help them seek medical attention immediately