Depression After Childbirth: Care Instructions
It's common to lose sleep, feel irritable, and cry easily during the first few days after childbirth. Hormone changes and the demands of a new baby can cause these "baby blues." If these mood changes last more than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression. This is a medical condition that requires treatment.
If you have any of these signs, you may be depressed. See your doctor right away.
You feel very sad or hopeless and lose interest in daily activities.
You sleep too much or not enough.
You feel tired or as if you have no energy.
You eat too much or too little.
You write or talk about death.
What you can do
- Try to go to all of your counselling sessions.
- Take medicines as directed.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Get daily exercise, such as walks.
- Try to get some sunlight every day.
- Avoid using alcohol or other substances.
- Get as much rest as possible.
- Connect with friends, and join a support group for new parents.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 if:
- You feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself, your baby, or someone else.
Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away.
- Call or text Canada's suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
- Call Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET).
- Go to the Talk Suicide Canada website at https://talksuicide.ca for more information.
Consider saving these numbers in your phone.
Call your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are having trouble caring for yourself or your baby.
- You hear voices.
Contact your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line if:
- You have problems with your medicines.
- You do not get better as expected.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter Y765 in the search box to learn more about "Depression After Childbirth: Care Instructions".
Current as of: June 24, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
