Postpartum Depression, also know as Postnatal Depression or PPD, is described as a form of clinical depression that affects women, and even some men, after childbirth. This form of depression is different than just a mild or moderate form of depression that often occurs after childbirth due to a change in hormones, sleep patters, chemical changes in the brain and lifestyle changes. With Postpartum, symptoms of Depression are much more severe and last much longer.

Symptoms include:

Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Irritability, sometimes severe irritability
Mood swings
Decreased interest in sex or libido
Crying episodes
Anxiety
Lack of interest in daily activities
Lack of interest or bonding with the baby
Lack of interest or bonding with a spouse or partner
Insomnia
Inability to focus or concentrate
Guilt or shame
Exhaustion
Emptiness
Social withdrawal
Feeling inadequate of being able to take care of the baby
Panic attacks

Many women who experience Postpartum Depression often confuse it with traditional "baby blues" which is often talked about and don't necessarily seek medical or professional help to assess options of treatment and recovery.

It is common for women to experience a sudden drop in hormones or hormonal changes after the birth of a baby which is natural, considering her body goes through a process of recovery. The postnatal recover process varies from woman to woman but typically, she will experience changes that are associated with it such as her Uterus returning to its original size and shape, her hormones shifting back to become regulated by an ovulation and menstrual cycle, and the pregnancy hormone, hCG decreasing again. The hCG hormone which is known as the pregnancy hormone, increases during the beginning states of pregnancy which is what registers in pregnancy tests to determine a positive pregnancy result. She will also go through other changes that are associated with sudden drops in hormone levels such as hair loss, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss and fatigue. These are very natural and normal occurrences to be expected after childbirth and usually fade within days or a few weeks after the baby has been delivered. However again, with Postpartum Depression, these symptoms can be much more severe and last much longer.

Some women have difficulty identifying Postpartum because after childbirth, they choose to incorporate substitute hormone regulation such as birth control or hormone replacement therapy if she has had a Hysterectomy that has removed her Uterus or both her Uterus and Ovaries. Also, other surgeries such as a Tubal Ligation which removes or "ties-off" the Fallopian Tubes to sterilize her to prevent further pregnancies can contribute to Postpartum Depression.

There are also other factors involved that can increase a woman's risk to developing Postpartum Depression which are listed below.

Formula feeding rather than breast feeding
A history of depression
Smoking
Low self esteem
Stress during childcare
Prenatal depression or anxiety during pregnancy
Life stress
Low social support
Poor marital or personal relationship
Single parent status
Low economic conditions
Unwanted or unplanned pregnancy

Women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or have already given birth should seek medical or professional help to explore their options to better understand their solutions for Postpartum Depression.

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