Mental health issues after childbirth — besides postpartum depression

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Everyone talks about postpartum depression — beware these other mental health issues after childbirth

By Dr. Marra Ackerman Published June 22, 2026, 6:17 a.m. ET

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New baby, new emotions.

Over 80% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” shortly after childbirth due to changing hormones, exhaustion and stress. The “baby blues” are characterized by rapid mood shifts — from joy to tears — but they usually resolve within two weeks and don’t impair daily function.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are more intense, longer-lasting and more disruptive to a woman’s ability to care for herself or her newborn.

Some women go through melancholic depression, where they feel disengaged, suffer from low appetite or yearn to sleep a lot. More often, women experience anxious depression.

They worry about their baby and their mothering skills, which can interfere with the bliss that accompanies the early days and months of motherhood.

Postpartum depression and anxiety aren’t the only mental health conditions a new mother may face in the year following delivery. In fact, maternal mental health conditions are the leading cause of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity in the US.

Here are the key warning signs for these conditions — and three major myths about the postpartum period.

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Adjustment disorder

It can be difficult to make the major transition to parenthood and adapt to the overwhelming demands of a newborn.

Breastfeeding can be particularly challenging. A woman might experience sore or cracked nipples from poor latching or stress about low milk supply while feeling pressure to produce enough to feed her baby.

Adjustment disorder, which is partway between “baby blues” and postpartum depression, is all about managing expectations.

Symptoms often resolve with social support and better sleep. Sometimes we might recommend that women not exclusively breastfeed because they need to get rest. I strongly believe that sleep is a critical part of recovery.

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Women diagnosed with OCD before pregnancy have the highest risk of postpartum OCD.

We also see women who develop OCD specifically in that period. OCD manifests as intrusive thoughts and often compulsive behaviors surrounding infant care, such as repetitive checking behavior, or rigid cleaning rituals — and those thoughts can take on a mind of their own.

A stressed mother sits on the floor with her hand on her head, holding a crying infant. — Most women are familiar with postpartum depression, but there are other mental health issues can arise after childbirth. Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Sometimes pregnancy or delivery comes with medical complications that can be life-threatening and traumatic, increasing the risk of postpartum depression and PTSD.

Significant distress is a common symptom, and it can affect bonding with the baby.

Bipolar disorder

We screen for mental health conditions throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum by asking new moms to fill out a questionnaire about their feelings.

One of the things we look for is bipolar illness because bipolar disorder in women often emerges in the 20s or early 30s, prime pregnancy years.

And we have to differentiate between unipolar depression and bipolar disorder because the treatment strategies are different.

The risk of postpartum psychosis in the general population is about 1 in 1,000. Women with bipolar I disorder, the more severe form of bipolar illness, have a higher risk. Untreated bipolar illness raises the risk to 1 in 4.

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency. It is treatable, but it requires psychiatric assessment and often admission to the hospital.

Suicidal tendencies

Many of the screening tools that medical providers use ask questions about suicidal ideation, though not all of them do.

At NYU Langone Health, we think it’s important to screen for suicidal ideation because it’s fairly common postpartum.

We need to determine if it’s fleeting thoughts that stem from stress or more persistent thoughts that can lead to a harmful plan.

Treatment strategies

Treatment really depends on the patient, the severity of their symptoms and their preferences, but we tend to recommend a multimodal approach.

There are times when just psychotherapy can be helpful — or at least serve as an initial step. Most of the time, we’re recommending psychotherapy and medication.

Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are our first line for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Recovery depends on how quickly the woman can access care.

The most common risk factor for postpartum depression is untreated depression during pregnancy. If we can optimize mood during pregnancy, then that is certainly a protective factor.

Helpful resources

I often tell patients to tread carefully on social media and avoid the internet rabbit hole because what you find can be anxiety-provoking or flat-out wrong. We want to direct you to credible and positive online resources.

I recommend Postpartum Support International and womensmentalhealth.org.

Myths about the postpartum period

Pregnancy has been heavily romanticized as euphoric, which is a myth. Some women might have that experience, but many do not. There’s a lot of variability — pregnancy and delivery can be wonderful and stressful at the same time.

There’s also a myth that sertraline, commonly known by the brand name Zoloft, is the only safe antidepressant in pregnancy. There are many antidepressants that can be safely continued in pregnancy.

In fact, a major myth is that women have to stop taking certain medications during pregnancy or can’t start a new regimen. But stopping medication can carry its own risks, so I encourage women to weigh the pros and cons with their doctor.

Dr. Marra Ackerman is the director of CL Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

As a psychiatrist provides comprehensive care, with a particular focus on mental health care for perinatal women and hormone-related psychiatric issues. Additionally, she provides psychiatric support for patients receiving medical treatments such as organ transplants or cancer therapies.

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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.

The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.

But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.

'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.

'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'

The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.

Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs

Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts

But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'

A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.

'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.

Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.

'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.

'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.

'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.

'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'

'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.

'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'

Everyone talks about postpartum depression — beware these other mental health issues after childbirth

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Dr. Marra Ackerman

Everyone talks about postpartum depression — beware these other mental health issues after childbirth

Explore More

What to actually expect when you’re expecting — from the ‘honeymoon period’ to the fourth trimester

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Adjustment disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Bipolar disorder

Suicidal tendencies

Treatment strategies

Helpful resources

Myths about the postpartum period

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