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About Us
MedEdPPD.org is a Web site developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide education about postpartum depression (PPD). This part of the site, Mothers and Others, contains information for women with PPD and their friends and families. » Learn More
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or your baby, click here.
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There are many common misconceptions about postpartum depression. Can you tell PPD facts from fiction? Learn the truth here.
Myth: PPD is normal
-- all new mothers feel tired and depressed. |
Fact: New mothers
do often feel tired and down. They may
be experiencing "baby blues," which affects
up to 80% of women after giving birth.
Women with baby blues may feel tired, weepy,
and have no energy. However, the feelings
that go with PPD are stronger and more
intense. A mother with PPD may not want
to play with her baby. She may have trouble
paying attention to things and may not
be able to meet her baby's needs for warmth
and affection. She may feel guilty or worthless.
» View
all top 10 myths about postpartum depression
» Tell
a Friend
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HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
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 Hear it From Mary Jo Codey
Listen to a candid interview with the former First Lady of New Jersey as she shares her personal struggle with PPD -- from her lowest moment to the day she sought help to her successful treatment.
» Continue
to Hear It From Mary Jo Codey
Learn more about the professional and the personal sides of PPD. Watch our experts answer some of your most frequently asked questions about PPD. Hear from women just like you about how they coped.
» Continue
to 'Hear It From'...
 Our
patient brochure, which is available in PDF format in both English and Spanish,
has helpful information about the signs and symptoms of postpartum
depression, and what mothers can do if they need help. Feel free
to download or print them out, and share them with friends and family.
This brochure was developed with the support of NIMH and is available
as a free resource to download, print, and distribute for noncommercial
use. The brochure must be used as is; no changes may be made to the
copy or design.
Download: » English
Version | » Spanish
Version |
Legislation News
MOTHERS Act Closer to Final Passage
WASHINGTON - Thanks to the efforts of Senator Robert Menendez and other postpartum mental health champions in the Senate, the MOTHERS Act is nearly a reality.
The MOTHERS Act provisions are now included as section 2952 in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed by the Senate on 12/24/09. Advocates for postpartum depression research, funding, and support from both the House and the Senate must now work to ensure that the postpartum provisions remain in the final, combined bill that the entirety of Congress will vote on this spring.
 "We gained significant support for this effort to combat postpartum depression over the last two years, which makes me optimistic that we will be able to deliver this gift to new mothers," said Senator Menendez. "Increasingly, my colleagues in the Senate are learning about the vicious, debilitating nature of postpartum depression and how it affects families, and they understand why this initiative is so important. We have to attack postpartum depression on all fronts - with education, support, and research - so that new moms can feel supported and safe rather than scared and alone."
Postpartum depression is a serious and disabling condition affecting hundreds of thousands of new mothers each year. The new legislation would increase federal efforts to combat postpartum depression by:
- Encouraging Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions.
- Encouraging a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
- Requiring the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
- Creating a grant program to public or nonprofit private entities to deliver or enhance outpatient, inpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions. Activities may also include providing education about postpartum conditions to new mothers and their families, including symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources, in order to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.
It is estimated that postpartum depression (PPD) affects from 10 to 20 percent of new mothers. In the United States, there may be as many as 800,000 new cases of postpartum conditions each year. The cause of PPD isn't known but changes in hormone levels, a difficult pregnancy or birth, and a family history of depression are considered possible factors
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