According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, depression during and after pregnancy is a common problem. Around 13 percent of expecting and new mothers experience it.
Depression can result from a number of different reasons. Women who have a family history of the condition are more likely to experience it themselves.
Alterations in brain chemistry are believed to contribute greatly to depression, and in some women, hormones may also play a role. It is known that hormones directly affect brain chemistry tied to emotions and mood, and that women are more susceptible to developing depression during certain times in their lives, like during puberty, pregnancy and pre-menopause.
Experts say hormonal changes after childbirth may be what trigger postpartum depression.
Tags: depression, perinatal, perinatal depression, postpartum, postpartum depression, ppd, pregnancy
