How+is+it+diagnosed?

Although postpartum depression has been around for years and years, many specialists believe it is underdiagnosed. People are becoming more aware and knowledgable about postpartum depression and doctors have even began looking for the risk factors in pregnant women as early as their first prenatal care visit. The doctor can evaluate a pregnant mother's moods throughout her pregnancy if he believes she is at risk of any sort. After the baby is born, family members, friends and health care providers should watch for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. If symptoms of postpartum depression are evident, the doctor will first determine the risk of harm to the mother and/or the baby. A physical examination should be done to check thyroid functioning. Hypothyroidism has been shown to cause the same symptoms as postpartum depression.
 * **Baby Blues** || ** Postpartum Depression ** ||
 * ** - begins a few days after

delivery ** || ** - begins anytime after birth and

can last for years ** ||
 * ** - lasts from 10 days to a max

of 2 weeks ** || ** - lasts longer than 2 weeks ** || -trouble sleeping ** || ** - cannot sleep at all ** || -as many as 3/4 women
 * ** - tired, teary and sad ** || ** - feeling dragged down all day long ** ||

suffer from these mild baby blues ** || ** -12% experience more serious, long

lasting effects ** ||  The baby blues also feel different than postpartum depression. "They're not just about being sad. Baby blues seem to be about being full of feeling," explains Nada Stotland, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology at Rush Medical College in Chicago. "You may cry because you're feeling sad, but you may also just look at the baby and cry because you're full of emotion."