Perinatal Anxiety & Depression

By Dr. Karla Saruk

The process of becoming a parent is one that is full of joy and excitement, but also a process that can be potentially overwhelming and stressful.  Particularly for women, this period of adjustment represents significant physiological changes and a transition that can deeply impact personal identity and social relationships.  It is not uncommon for women to experience depressive and anxiety-related symptoms during and after their pregnancy.  This is particularly true for women who are already struggling with anxiety and/or depression.  

The purpose of this article is to normalize some of the emotional hurdles that may be experienced during and after pregnancy, while at the same time helping women identify symptoms that may go beyond the typical emotional adjustment occurring during and after pregnancy.  Experiencing sadness, stress, worry and feeling overwhelmed as a woman adjusts to having a baby, particularly with the physical changes and disruption in sleep that will ensue, is an expected and normal manner of adjusting to just having given birth and having a new baby to care for. These feelings of stress and sadness fall on a continuum and will vary per individual.  If a woman experiences these symptoms it does not necessarily mean that she is unhealthy or adjusting abnormally.

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression is a term given to a wide range of mood disorders that can affect women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child.  These perinatal mood disturbances include prenatal depression and anxiety, “baby blues”, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis (a rare condition affecting only one mother in one thousand). 

The “baby blues” is the most common and minor form of post-partum depression. It is estimated that 80% of new mothers will experience symptoms associated with the “baby blues”.  Symptoms are usually experienced 1 to 3 days after delivery and can last up to two weeks post-partum.  Symptoms are transient and typically include a combination of the following:

•    Feeling overwhelmed
•    Irritability
•    Frustration
•    Anxiety
•    Mood changes - mom is elated one minute, and crying the next
•    Feeling weepy and crying
•    Exhaustion
•    Trouble falling or staying asleep

Post-partum depression is more debilitating than the “blues” and can occur any time between delivery of the baby and 6-months post-birth, and may last up to several months or even a year.  Since symptoms are more severe and potentially longer lasting, women experiencing post-partum depression would benefit from professional support.   Women with this condition experience a combination of the following:

•    Frequent episodes of crying or weepiness
•    Persistent sadness
•    Fatigue
•    Feelings of inadequacy or guilt
•    Sleep and/or appetite disturbances
•    Irritability/mood changes
•    Overly intense worries about the baby
•    Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or remembering things
•    Lack of interest in the baby, family or activities
•    Anxiety is a prominent symptom and may manifest as bizarre thoughts and fears, such as obsessive thoughts of harm to the infant
•    Feeling overwhelmed
•    Headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations, numbness and hyperventilation

Women struggling with perinatal mood disturbances may feel guilty and ashamed for feeling the way they do, especially since having a baby “should be” full of joy and excitement.  They may also feel like a “bad” parent or like a “failure” because they don’t feel they are managing the transition in the manner they expected, or how they see friends and/or family members managing the same stresses.  As a result, these women may be reluctant to share how they are truly feeling with others, and can potentially become more isolated and depressed.

It is important to emphasize that women struggling with these symptoms are not alone and are not to blame.  As previously mentioned, up to 80% of women struggle with baby blues and up to 20% of new moms struggle with post-partum depression.  Perinatal mood disorders are treatable, and women should be encouraged to seek out appropriate professional support when indicated.  This is important because depression and anxiety not only impact the mother, but also affect her ability to relate to those around her, including her ability to bond with her new baby. 

Where do I find help?

You can view the profiles of the following therapists at BCG that treat Perinatal Anxiety and Depression by clicking on their names below.  You can also call 604.430.1303 to schedule an initial session at BCG.


In B.C., Canada, you can locate a therapist at the following links:

Check out the following helpful books:

  • Preganancy Blues by Shaila Kulkarni Misri
  • The Mindful Way through Depression by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal & Jon Kabat Zinn