Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatmentMedication AlternativesAntidepressant SafetyMental Health SupportNext in Postpartum Depression GuideWhat Is Postpartum Depression, and What Helps?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment
Medication Alternatives
Antidepressant Safety
Mental Health Support
Next in Postpartum Depression Guide
This article will go over the available treatment options for PPD, as well as self-care tips and how to find support and resources.
Risk Factors for PPDPotential risk factors for PPD include:Being under the age of 25Unplanned pregnancyA history of mental health condition(s), such as depression, anxiety, or mood disordersA stressful or complicated pregnancy or labor (i.e., experiencing health complications, birth defects, or premature labor)Relationship conflictsFinancial stressSubstance abuse
Risk Factors for PPD
Potential risk factors for PPD include:Being under the age of 25Unplanned pregnancyA history of mental health condition(s), such as depression, anxiety, or mood disordersA stressful or complicated pregnancy or labor (i.e., experiencing health complications, birth defects, or premature labor)Relationship conflictsFinancial stressSubstance abuse
Potential risk factors for PPD include:
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Postpartum Depression Treatment
Postpartum depression is typically treated with medication(s),talk therapy (psychotherapy), or both. The following are some of the available treatment options for PPD.
Medication
Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed to treat postpartum depression. Common classes of antidepressants that treat postpartum depression symptoms include:
Therapy and Counseling
Talk therapy, either in combination with medication or on its own, has been shown to be effective in treating PPD. Types of therapy that may be helpful include:
A Word From Verywell
—RENITA WHITE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Self-Care in Addition to Treatment
In addition to seeking clinical treatment, it’s important to take care of yourself to manage the symptoms of postpartum depression and prevent them from getting worse. During the postpartum period, it may help to:
Medication Alternatives for Postpartum Depression
There is some evidence to suggest that the following alternatives to prescription medication may help manage postpartum depression symptoms:
Antidepressant Safety in Postpartum
Many people wonder if it’s safe to take antidepressants after giving birth. Typically, it’s not any less safe to take antidepressants during the postpartum period than at any other time. If you are breastfeeding, the answer may be more complicated.
In any case, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about your particular needs, symptoms, medical history, and any other drugs or supplements you’re taking. You can also ask them about potential side effects and how they may affect you after giving birth. Most side effects from antidepressants are temporary and resolve on their own.
Common side effects of antidepressants include:
While Breastfeeding
Postpartum and Mental Health Support
If you think you may have postpartum depression, the first step is to reach out for support. Fortunately, many resources are available to help, from healthcare providers and peer support groups to emergency hotlines if needed.
Ask for Help
People who are experiencing depression that persists for two weeks or more should reach out to a healthcare provider, such as:
Utilize Resources
In addition to seeking help from your healthcare provider(s) and loved ones, you can find valuable postpartum depression resources through:
Seek Emergency Help
Summary
If you think you have postpartum depression, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can answer questions about your available treatment options and potential side effects and safety risks when breastfeeding. While postpartum depression can be difficult to manage, you’re far from alone. Help is available, and treatment is highly effective.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum depression.MedlinePlus.Postpartum depression.Cornett EM, Rando L, Labbé AM, et al.Brexanolone to treat postpartum depression in adult women.Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(2):115-130. PMID: 34092826; PMCID: PMC8146562.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression.Frieder A, Fersh M, Hainline R, Deligiannidis KM.Pharmacotherapy of postpartum depression: Current approaches and novel drug development.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(3):265-282. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00605-7Huang L, Zhao Y, Qiang C, Fan B.Is cognitive behavioral therapy a better choice for women with postnatal depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205243Kang HK, John D, Bisht B, et al.PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.Campbell Syst Rev. 2020;16(1):e1074. doi:10.1002/cl2.1074Ngai FW, Wong PC, Chung KF, Chau PH, Hui PW.Effect of couple-based cognitive behavioural intervention on prevention of postnatal depression: Multisite randomised controlled trial.BJOG. 2020;127(4):500-507. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15862National Health Service.Treatment - postnatal depression.Abdul Aziz NU, Chiroma SM, Mohd Moklas MA, et al.Antidepressant-like properties of fish oil on postpartum depression-like rats model: Involvement of serotonergic system.Brain Sci. 2020;10(10):733. doi:10.3390/brainsci10100733Wang Y, Li H, Peng W, Chen Y, et al.Non-pharmacological interventions for postpartum depression: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(31):e21496. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021496MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Health Service.Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking sertraline.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum depression.MedlinePlus.Postpartum depression.Cornett EM, Rando L, Labbé AM, et al.Brexanolone to treat postpartum depression in adult women.Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(2):115-130. PMID: 34092826; PMCID: PMC8146562.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression.Frieder A, Fersh M, Hainline R, Deligiannidis KM.Pharmacotherapy of postpartum depression: Current approaches and novel drug development.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(3):265-282. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00605-7Huang L, Zhao Y, Qiang C, Fan B.Is cognitive behavioral therapy a better choice for women with postnatal depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205243Kang HK, John D, Bisht B, et al.PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.Campbell Syst Rev. 2020;16(1):e1074. doi:10.1002/cl2.1074Ngai FW, Wong PC, Chung KF, Chau PH, Hui PW.Effect of couple-based cognitive behavioural intervention on prevention of postnatal depression: Multisite randomised controlled trial.BJOG. 2020;127(4):500-507. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15862National Health Service.Treatment - postnatal depression.Abdul Aziz NU, Chiroma SM, Mohd Moklas MA, et al.Antidepressant-like properties of fish oil on postpartum depression-like rats model: Involvement of serotonergic system.Brain Sci. 2020;10(10):733. doi:10.3390/brainsci10100733Wang Y, Li H, Peng W, Chen Y, et al.Non-pharmacological interventions for postpartum depression: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(31):e21496. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021496MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Health Service.Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking sertraline.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum depression.MedlinePlus.Postpartum depression.Cornett EM, Rando L, Labbé AM, et al.Brexanolone to treat postpartum depression in adult women.Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(2):115-130. PMID: 34092826; PMCID: PMC8146562.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression.Frieder A, Fersh M, Hainline R, Deligiannidis KM.Pharmacotherapy of postpartum depression: Current approaches and novel drug development.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(3):265-282. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00605-7Huang L, Zhao Y, Qiang C, Fan B.Is cognitive behavioral therapy a better choice for women with postnatal depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205243Kang HK, John D, Bisht B, et al.PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.Campbell Syst Rev. 2020;16(1):e1074. doi:10.1002/cl2.1074Ngai FW, Wong PC, Chung KF, Chau PH, Hui PW.Effect of couple-based cognitive behavioural intervention on prevention of postnatal depression: Multisite randomised controlled trial.BJOG. 2020;127(4):500-507. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15862National Health Service.Treatment - postnatal depression.Abdul Aziz NU, Chiroma SM, Mohd Moklas MA, et al.Antidepressant-like properties of fish oil on postpartum depression-like rats model: Involvement of serotonergic system.Brain Sci. 2020;10(10):733. doi:10.3390/brainsci10100733Wang Y, Li H, Peng W, Chen Y, et al.Non-pharmacological interventions for postpartum depression: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(31):e21496. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021496MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.National Health Service.Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking sertraline.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Postpartum depression.
MedlinePlus.Postpartum depression.
Cornett EM, Rando L, Labbé AM, et al.Brexanolone to treat postpartum depression in adult women.Psychopharmacol Bull. 2021;51(2):115-130. PMID: 34092826; PMCID: PMC8146562.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression.
Frieder A, Fersh M, Hainline R, Deligiannidis KM.Pharmacotherapy of postpartum depression: Current approaches and novel drug development.CNS Drugs. 2019;33(3):265-282. doi:10.1007/s40263-019-00605-7
Huang L, Zhao Y, Qiang C, Fan B.Is cognitive behavioral therapy a better choice for women with postnatal depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205243
Kang HK, John D, Bisht B, et al.PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.Campbell Syst Rev. 2020;16(1):e1074. doi:10.1002/cl2.1074
Ngai FW, Wong PC, Chung KF, Chau PH, Hui PW.Effect of couple-based cognitive behavioural intervention on prevention of postnatal depression: Multisite randomised controlled trial.BJOG. 2020;127(4):500-507. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15862
National Health Service.Treatment - postnatal depression.
Abdul Aziz NU, Chiroma SM, Mohd Moklas MA, et al.Antidepressant-like properties of fish oil on postpartum depression-like rats model: Involvement of serotonergic system.Brain Sci. 2020;10(10):733. doi:10.3390/brainsci10100733
Wang Y, Li H, Peng W, Chen Y, et al.Non-pharmacological interventions for postpartum depression: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(31):e21496. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021496
MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.
National Health Service.Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking sertraline.
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