Postpartum depression handout

Are you a therapist looking for a postpartum depression handout? You’re in the right place. 

This article provides an overview of postpartum depression education and key warning signs to discuss with clients. 

We’ve also included a free downloadable postpartum depression patient education PDF that you can save to your electronic health record (EHR) and use in your practice.

What is postpartum depression?

The post-birth period can be a happy or exciting time filled with emotion. Still, it can also present challenges as women experience a range of physical, emotional, and social changes after giving birth. 

Up to 85% of women experience the “baby blues,” which can involve crying, irritability, and anxiety, but this typically passes without medical treatment. However, some women go on to develop postpartum depression, a form of perinatal depression that can be a serious condition without intervention.

Perinatal depression is a treatable mood disorder that occurs during pregnancy or after birth and can last for some time if untreated. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perinatal depression is an underlying cause of approximately 9% of pregnancy-related deaths, and can lead to:

• Lower rates of starting breastfeeding

• Poorer mother-infant bonding

• Increased chance of developmental delay

• Health implications for the mother

• Sleeping, feeding, and behavioral problems in the baby

Perinatal depression can happen to anyone after delivering a baby and affects one in seven women. The main symptoms include: 

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

• Loss of pleasure or interest in things once enjoyable

• Increased anxiety or panic attacks

• Changes in appetite, such as eating more than usual or eating less than normal

• Feeling guilty or worthless

• Loss of energy or increased fatigue

• Increase in purposeless activity, such as being unable to sit still or moving and speaking more slowly, that others notice

• Fear of not being a good mother or being alone with the baby

• Difficulty sleeping, such as sleeping too much or not being able to fall or stay asleep

• Crying for what feels like “no reason”

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

• Mood swings that may include irritability, anger, or agitation

• Racing thoughts

• Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby

• Blaming yourself

• Loss of interest in the baby or feeling anxious being around the baby

These symptoms can severely impair day-to-day life and last for weeks or months if untreated.

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Risk factors for developing perinatal depression

Anyone can develop perinatal depression. However, there are some risk factors, including:

• A history, or family history, of depression or other mental health conditions

• Stressful events

• Lack of support 

• Trauma or adverse experiences

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and after birth

• Physical changes associated with pregnancy

• Premature birth or the baby being in intensive care

• Medical complications for either mother or baby

• Lack of sleep

• Worries about parenting

• Changes to relationships

Interventions for postpartum depression

Anyone experiencing symptoms of perinatal depression should seek professional help, as it is a mental health disorder that requires a medical and psychological assessment. Providers may also want to rule out any underlying medical conditions before referring a patient to a mental health provider, and can use a validated screening tool such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to support assessment.

The main treatment options for perinatal depression include:

• Therapy

• Medication

• Lifestyle changes, such as rest, nutritious food, and movement (if appropriate)

• Parenting support groups

• Websites like Postpartum Support International or Postpartum Progress can connect moms with local support groups in their area

• Help from partners, friends, and family

If the person is experiencing any thoughts of harming themselves or the baby, they should seek immediate help:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7, free, and confidential).

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

• Clients can also reach the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for ongoing support, information, and referrals (not a crisis line): Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), available 24/7 in English and Spanish.

How to use the postpartum depression handout

You can download and use the postpartum depression education handout in several ways:

• Use the worksheet to provide postpartum depression psychoeducation to clients. 

• Give a copy of the postpartum depression handout to the client to take home.

• Ask the client to reflect on the handout and share their reflections at their next therapy appointment. 

• Use the handout in a parenting therapy group, with other postpartum depression education materials, to inform clients about the signs to look out for after birth.

• Combine this worksheet with other parenting resources, such as our ADHD for parents handout, feelings wheel for kids, boundaries for children worksheet, or our article on supporting clients who are new parents. 

• Share the worksheet with coworkers.

• Leave printed copies of the handout in your office or waiting room.

• Use this worksheet to provide training to interns or supervisees.

Sources

• American Psychiatric Association. (2023). What is Perinatal Depression?

• American Psychological Association. (2022). Postpartum depression: Causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. 

• Bauman, B. L., Ko, J. Y., Cox, S., & et al. (2020). Vital signs: Postpartum depressive symptoms and provider discussions about perinatal depression — United States, 2018. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69, 575–581. 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Symptoms of Depression Among Women. 

• National Child & Maternal Health Education Program. (2022). Moms’ Mental Health Matters. Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy. 

• Suryawanshi, O., 4th, & Pajai, S. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on Postpartum Depression. Cureus.

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