03/12/2025

Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

Perinatal depression and anxiety are depression and anxiety that happen anytime from the time you are pregnant until one year after your baby’s arrival. Perinatal means “around birth” and includes the time from pregnancy up to one year after baby arrives. You may have heard this called postpartum depression (PPD).

Perinatal depression and anxiety can happen to anyone, those who give birth, their partners, and adoptive parents.

Perinatal depression and anxiety affect about 1 in 5 and is different than baby blues.

What to look for

Signs may include (click to expand) »
  • continuous feelings of sadness and the inability to feel pleasure
  • loss of interest in things that would normally bring pleasure
  • trouble sleeping (i.e. difficulty falling asleep, early morning waking)
  • Tiredness, fatigue or feeling exhausted
  • changes in weight or appetite, can be an increase or a decrease
  • feeling irritable or angry
  • excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • inability to relax or always feeling anxious
  • panic attacks
  • crying
  • unable to concentrate or make decisions
  • frightening thoughts of harming yourself or baby

Effective treatment is available

It is common to feel a wide range of emotions after the arrival of a new baby. If some of these feelings become overwhelming or concerning reach out for support.

There is no single cause of perinatal depression and anxiety. Physical, hormonal, social, and emotional factors may be the cause. Treatment is effective and available. If you are experiencing these symptoms let your public health nurse know, contact your health care provider, or call 811.

Mothers or birth persons have a greater chance of developing perinatal depression or anxiety if you: (click to expand) »
  • had depression or anxiety during pregnancy
  • have a family history of depression
  • experienced depression earlier in your life
  • have recently gone through stressful life events
Fathers or partners have a greater chance of developing perinatal depression or anxiety if: (click to expand) »
  • you had a history of depression prior to the partners pregnancy
  • the pregnancy was not planned
  • you had anxiety or depression in the prenatal period
  • your general health is unwell
  • you lack social support
  • you have recently gone through stressful life events

If you notice someone you care about is experiencing signs of depression or anxiety, talk with them about it. Support them in reaching out for help. Reach out yourself if you need support.

It is important to get treatment. Getting help early can help reduce how long the depression and anxiety lasts. The sooner you get treated; the sooner you will feel better.

Self-care

Your well-being is important.

Self-care is key to protecting your overall health and well-being. It may help protect against depression and anxiety as well as help to treat it.

Think of self-care like a NEST(S). Check out this link for some considerations for your NEST(S).

While there are risk factors, perinatal depression and anxiety can happen to anyone.

Treatment is available and it works.

Services related to this information:

  • Contact your Public Health Nurse.
  • Doorways: rapid ‘one session at a time’ counselling services.
  • Mental health and addictions services
  • Bridge the gapp
    Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘go-to’ website for mental health information. Bridge the gapp offers self-help resources, links to local services, and invites people to share their personal stories. Bridge the gapp is free of cost and available to every resident in the province. The site is divided into adult and youth sections, however many services are appropriate for both.
  • 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
    • 811 is free and confidential. 811 is available 24/7 and can provide support with mental health and addictions issues and more.
    • Services formerly offered by the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line are now offered by 811. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who is also a trained crisis intervener.
http://hi.easternhealth.ca/healthy-living/mental-health/postpartum-depression/
Share This Page:
Last updated: 2025-03-07