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 Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
Q: How common is depression during pregnancy? Are the signs similar to regular depression?
A: Depression is probably no more common, and may actually be less
common, during pregnancy itself. However, it occurs quite frequently after birth. Many women experience mild depressive symptoms in the
first week or so after delivery, called "baby blues," and in as many as
10 percent of cases the condition can be severe enough to merit the diagnosis of "postpartum depression" which calls for medical attention. A few new mothers are affected so severely that their ability to care for their newborn can be impaired. It is important for both the family and medical personnel to be alert for signs such as unhappiness, withdrawal, poor appetite, and sleep disturbance, which are indicators of postpartum depression.
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