Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of clinical depression occurring after childbirth, typically within the first four to six weeks postpartum but potentially developing up to a year after delivery. It is distinguished from the brief "baby blues"—mild mood changes affecting up to 80% of new parents in the first days after birth—by its severity, duration, and functional impairment. Symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, difficulty bonding with the infant, anxiety, and in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm. PPD is a subset of perinatal depression and shares risk factors including prior mental health history, lack of social support, and obstetric complications. Screening using validated tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is recommended but inconsistently implemented. Digital and robotic tools are increasingly being explored to expand access to screening and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.