More Than Just the Baby Blues: Understanding Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders

Jamie Gustafson
May 5
2 min read

Introduction: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Let’s get one thing straight: having a baby is a BIG deal. It's beautiful, exhausting, magical... and sometimes emotionally overwhelming. If you’re feeling less than blissful, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it means you’re human.

Mood disorders during and after pregnancy are far more common than most people think. The good news? Help is available—and healing is possible.

What Are Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders?

The term "perinatal" includes the time during pregnancy and up to two years after giving birth. During this window, some women experience changes in their mood, thoughts, or behavior that go beyond what we might call “baby blues.”

Common Perinatal & Postpartum Disorders Include:

Postpartum Depression (PPD) – sadness, withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness.
Perinatal Anxiety – excessive worry, racing thoughts, or panic attacks.
Postpartum OCD – intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors focused on keeping the baby “safe.”
Postpartum PTSD – often triggered by a traumatic birth experience.
Postpartum Psychosis – a rare but serious condition involving hallucinations or delusional thinking (requires immediate care).

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 7 moms experience postpartum depression, and many others suffer from anxiety or other mood shifts.

What Causes These Mood Shifts?

There’s no one-size-fits-all reason, but common contributors include:

Hormonal changes
Sleep deprivation (hello, zombie life)
Past trauma or mental health history
Stress, lack of support, or relationship strain

It’s never about weakness—it’s about biology, life changes, and a very normal human response to a very intense season of life.

How Are Perinatal Mood Disorders Treated?

The good news? These conditions are very treatable. Depending on the severity, treatment might include:

Talk therapy (especially with a provider trained in perinatal mental health)
Safe medications (see previous blog post!)
Lifestyle shifts—sleep, nutrition, exercise, connection
Support groups or parent groups

You don’t have to handle this alone—support is a superpower, not a weakness.

Partner Alert: Dads and Co-Parents Can Feel It Too

While this blog is focused on moms, we’d be remiss not to mention that partners can experience postpartum depression and anxiety too (more on that in the next post!). Watching out for one another is part of this shared parenting journey.

Let’s Normalize Getting Help

Mental health should be just as high a priority as OB visits or baby prep classes. Whether it’s talking to a provider, joining a support circle, or simply telling a friend “I’m struggling,” every step toward wellness counts. You are worthy of feeling better.