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Depression Blog

By Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com Guide to Depression since 1998

Postpartum Depression Prevention

Tuesday December 9, 2008

After giving birth, about 30% to 80% of women will experience "baby blues," feeling mild depression, weepiness, irritability, fatigue and moodiness. These mood changes occur in response to the hormonal changes that follow childbirth and rapidly resolve within hours or days.

About 10% of women, though, will go through postpartum major depression (PMD), experiencing more severe, lasting symptoms. Good self-care and support from family and friends can help many women, although others will require treatment with medication and/or therapy.

Steps you can take to prevent postpartum depression include:

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