Adjusting to life as a mother can be difficult. In fact, for many women, having a baby is the most significant life-changing event they will ever experience. Adjusting to this major life change, as well as coping with the day-to-day stress of a new baby, can make some women more likely to experience depression at this time, particularly if they've experienced depression in the past.

Some women may experience depression during pregnancy and this is referred to as Antenatal Depression. Around 10 per cent of pregnant women in Australia experience antenatal depression and it is less common than depression which is experienced after the birth of a baby.  Postnatal depression (PND) is the name given to depression that a woman experiences in the months after the birth of her baby. Postnatal depression affects almost 16 per cent of women giving birth in Australia. Perinatal depression is the collective term used to describe both antenatal and postnatal depression.

On this website beyondblue provides clear and comprehensive information about PND, including:

• how to recognise the symptoms
• how to help someone
• the risk factors
• the treatments
• how to stay well.

Download information

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) checklist for pregnant women and new mothers.
• Postnatal depression - Fact sheet 22
• Emotional Health during Pregnancy and Early Parenthood information booklets
  • For parents
  • For parents of multiple births
  • In other languages
• DVD - Stories of Hope and Recovery - beyondblue ambassador Jessica Rowe tells her story of recovery from postnatal depression.

To find out more about postnatal depression, click on the headings on the left hand menu and/or download beyondblue information materials related to postnatal depression.

beyondblue provides links to websites where additional information can be found.