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Postnatal Depression: Quick Facts and Links

This is published as part of a series of articles looking at post-natal depression in Aotearoa New Zealand.

How Common is PND?

• 'Postpartum blues' is a transient condition that affects 30-80% of women after birth. Anything that does not resolve within 10-14 days, is not 'baby blues', and may be a risk factor for PND.


• The overall prevalence of clinically significant postpartum depressive symptoms is estimated to be between 7% and 19%. Around a third of “postnatal depression” begins in pregnancy and around a quarter begins before pregnancy


• Postpartum psychosis occurs after about 0.1% (1 in 1000) deliveries


• Women with bipolar disorder are at particularly high risk of postnatal depression in the postpartum period, with around half of deliveries followed by a clinically significant postpartum episode. — Sources: "Easily Missed", British Medical Journal, August 2014; Ferguson, How to Treat Postnatal Depression, NZ Doctor, 2007.

What to Look Out For

• Low mood for at least two weeks


• Significant unremitting tiredness


• Increased anxiety (beyond a usual response)


• Irritability


• Feelings of Worthlessness


• Sleep disturbance


• ‘Difficult baby’ (but some babies are difficult)


• Low libido, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)


• Reduced concentration, memory and cognitive function


• Indecisiveness


• Agitation/retardation


• Guilt


• Not enjoying your baby


• Persistent thoughts of running away

— Sources: Ferguson, How to Treat Postnatal Depression, NZ Doctor, 2007; 'Mothers Cry Too', by Dr. Sara Weeks

Links | More Information | More Reading

Mothers Matter (www.mothersmatter.co.nz)

Raising Children in New Zealand (www.raisingchildren.org.nz)

National Depression Initiative (www.depression.org.nz)

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa (www.pmhnz.org.nz).

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (www.mentalhealth.org.nz)

The New Zealand Affiliate of the World Association of Infant Mental Health (www.imhaanz.org.nz)

Mothers Helpers: Supporting Mums Under Stress: www.mothershelpers.co.nz

Ngā Maia Māori Midwives: (www.ngamaia.co.nz)

List of Māori Health Providers: (Ministry of Health website)

The Postnatal Distress Centre (private practice): (www.postnataldistress.co.nz)

Post and ante-natal distress support group, Wellington (PND Wellington): (www.pnd.org.nz)

Tapuaki, Pacific Parenting and Pregnancy Education: (www.tapuaki.org.nz)

Posnatal Support Nelson (www.pndnelson.org.nz)

Best Practice Journal, Special edition 'Depression in the antenatal and postnatal periods.' (www.bpac.org.z)

Please add more useful links, particularly NZ-Aotearoa based, in comments.

Other articles in this series:

1. 'The Thief That Steals Motherhood' (Introduction)
2. ‘But, I’m Not Depressed‘ (screening, causes, treatments)
3. Finding Someone Who ‘Gets It‘ (services, volunteering on the frontline)
5. Audio – Women Tell Their Stories

This investigative journalism project by Alison McCulloch was funded entirely by member donations to the Scoop Foundation for Public Interest Journalism. If you want to see more quality public interest journalism like this please donate to, or become a member of, the Scoop Foundation here.

The Foundation is currently running a membership drive for October and has some great rewards on offer including a multi-author book on the future of journalism in New Zealand.

Alison McCulloch will be interviewed by Kim Hill on Kim’s RNZ Saturday morning show at 9.05am on 22nd October, and that interview will be subsequently available on the RNZ website.

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