Urgent Help 

For urgent help, please go to your nearest A&E or contact your local CRISIS team immediately: 

Royal Liverpool University Hospital 

0151 706 2000 

Whiston Hospital      

0151 426 1600 

Aintree University Hospital   

0151 525 5980 

Wirral University Teaching hospital          

0151 678 5111  

Baby blues 

Many mothers will experience the “baby blues” after childbirth. Baby blues are a normal response to your changing hormones along with lack of sleep and adjusting to new life with your baby. 

Symptoms of the baby blues can include; 

  • Bursting into tears for no obvious reason 

  • Feeling irritable or overly sensitive 

  • Feeling low 

  • Feeling restless or anxious 

These symptoms are normal and usually last for a few days. 

Postnatal Depression 

Postnatal depression affects more than 1 in 10 new mothers. It can start at any time during the first year after childbirth. 

Symptoms include; 

  • A persistent (long-term) feeling of sadness or low mood. 
  • Lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in things that would usually make you happy. 
  • Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time 
  • Feeling irritable 
  • Loss of appetite or eating too much (comfort eating) 
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Difficulty in bonding with your baby or not enjoying your time together. 
  • Withdrawing from your partner, friends, or family 
  • Finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions. 
  • Frightening thoughts, for example, about hurting your baby. 
  • Thinking about suicide or self-harm 

A lot of women find it difficult to know that they have postnatal depression because it can develop very slowly. 

How are you, partner? 

It is important to understand that partners can also experience postnatal depression. It isn’t clear why this happens, but it is thought that; 

  • First time parents are more likely to experience symptoms 
  • Hormonal changes can play a part in causing depression. 
  • Postnatal depression in partners is more likely if the mother is experiencing depression. 
  • Other issues such as money problems, new responsibilities or worrying about your baby can cause postnatal depression. 

Postpartum Psychosis 

Sometimes new mothers experience severe mental illness called Postpartum Psychosis. This is an emergency, which requires immediate medical help. 

Symptoms include; 

  • Confusion or racing thoughts. 
  • Feeling unusually elated, frightened or tearful. 
  • Unable to sleep. 
  • Beliefs that are unusual or concerning to others 
  • Seeing, hearing, or sensing things that other people can’t 

How to get help 

There is support available if either you or your partner are worried. We encourage you to make your partner, friends, and family aware of the signs of postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis so they can support you if needed. 

Please speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP as soon as possible if you have any problems with your mood, mental health, or emotional wellbeing.