Postpartum Mood Instability and Sleep Deprivation

Introduction to Postpartum Mood Disorders

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes sleep deprivation as a barrier to postpartum mental health, alongside other factors like tiredness, lack of knowledge about self-care, and psychological morbidities such as stress and depression 1, 2, 3

Prevalence and Impact of Postpartum Depression

• Postpartum depression affects 10-15% of new mothers, with meta-analyses showing 19.2% for minor and 7.1% for major PPD within three months, and it frequently co-occurs with anxiety disorders 4, 5, 6
• Untreated PPD adversely affects not only maternal health but also infant cognitive, behavioral, and emotional development, with effects potentially lasting into adolescence 5, 6