Causes of Postpartum Depression and
Pregnancy-related Mood Disorders

Many factors can contribute to postpartum depression.  Medical professionals believe these illnesses are caused by changes in hormones, biology, psychology, and environment.  These factors can vary from individual to individual and even from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman.

Factors that can contribute to postpartum depression are:

• the dramatic change in hormone levels occurring during pregnancy and postpartum. Some women are more sensitive to this change than others.

• sleep deprivation

• psychological stresses of new motherhood

• previous postpartum or clinical depression

• family history of depression
  
  

Other risk factors include:

• difficult pregnancy, labor, or delivery

• colicky, difficult, or demanding baby

• lack of social support after baby is born

• issues surrounding breastfeeding

• recent crisis in life, such as serious illness or death in the family

• unplanned pregnancy

• unrealistic expectations regarding motherhood, particularly breastfeeding

• anxiety about returning to work

• certain personality traits, including perfectionist tendencies or difficulty handling transitions