Halton Region
1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
Ontario, Canada, L6M 3L1
Phone: Dial 311 or
905-825-6000
Toll free: 1-866-442-5866
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Call one of the HaltonParents team of public health nurses at 311 if you have symptoms of depression or anxiety
HaltonParents blogs about babies (external link)
For some women and their families, being pregnant or having a new baby is not the joyful and exciting time they had hoped for. Instead, they are overwhelmed with the changes in their body, the demands of the little one, and the struggle to adjust to the idea of or roles of parenthood.
It is important that parents know that perinatal mood disorders (PMD) present themselves in many different ways. Most importantly, you need to recognize the signs and symptoms of PMD and speak with your health care provider as soon as possible.
PMD can be treated. Remember: you are not alone, this is not your fault, and help is available.
The postpartum blues occur within the first couple of hours to the first week or two after your baby’s delivery.
With time and support, most people will recover from the blues. However, if these symptoms become worse, or continue after the first few weeks postpartum, you may be developing postpartum depression.
The most common symptoms (PDF file) include:
See this Best Start resource on mental health during pregnancy (external PDF file) for more information.
New research is emerging regarding perinatal mood disorders in dads/partners. Studies indicate that approximately 10% of fathers will experience depression during or after the delivery. Research also shows that any parent can experience postpartum depression – whether that parent is biological or not, adoptive, gay or straight.
Typically the onset of postpartum depression in partners occurs later in the postpartum period, unlike the mother/birthing parent, who usually exhibit symptoms in the early postpartum period.
Some contributing factors for postpartum depression in dads/partners include:
PMD symptoms in partners may include:
What a partner can do to help:
Ger more information (external link).
On very rare occasions, parents will suffer from Postpartum Psychosis. This is a serious illness with risks to the parent and the baby.
It is important that you get help right away.
Warning signs:
The parent should not be left alone or left with the baby.
Check out these HaltonParents blogs for a personal take on postpartum depression:
Got a question? Connect with our team of public health nurses:
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