Postpartum Depression Screening

Urgent safety information

If you have thoughts of suicide or of hurting yourself or your baby, get help right away: call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. A rare but more serious form of postpartum depression is postpartum psychosis, which may cause hallucinations or confusion. This is a medical emergency – call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Why this test may be ordered

• Routine screening after childbirth to detect possible postpartum depression early
• If you have symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, lack of interest in your baby, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Preparation and collection

No special preparations needed.

You answer a questionnaire (often the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) either on paper or during a conversation with your provider. If a blood test is also ordered, a sample is taken from a vein in your arm.

There is no known risk to answering the questionnaire. If a blood test is done, there is very little risk – you may have slight pain or bruising at the needle site, but these usually go away quickly.

Understanding results

Your provider will review your answers. The screening does not diagnose postpartum depression but helps identify if you may have a higher likelihood and need further evaluation.

• Screen-negative (lower likelihood): Your answers suggest a lower likelihood of postpartum depression at this time. Limitation: This is a screening result, not a diagnosis. You may still develop symptoms later, so your provider may screen you again during the first year after childbirth. Next step: Continue routine follow-up with your healthcare provider. If you notice new or worsening symptoms, contact your provider.
• Screen-positive (higher likelihood): Your answers suggest a higher likelihood of postpartum depression. Limitation: This is a screening result, not a diagnosis. Further evaluation by a healthcare provider is needed to confirm whether you have postpartum depression. Next step: Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for a full assessment and treatment options. Treatment may include counseling (talk therapy), medication, or other support. If you are breastfeeding, tell your provider so they can choose safe medicines. You can also take steps at home: ask for help, spend time with others, take time for yourself, rest when the baby rests, and join a support group.

• The screening is based on your self-reported answers and may not capture all cases.
• A screen-positive result does not mean you definitely have postpartum depression; it means you need further evaluation.
• The screening does not replace a clinical diagnosis by a mental health professional.

What to do next

If your screening shows a higher likelihood, contact your provider as soon as possible for a full assessment and treatment options. Treatment may include counseling, medication, or other support. If you are breastfeeding, tell your provider so they can choose safe medicines. You can also take steps at home: ask for help with baby care, take time for yourself, rest when the baby rests, and join a support group for new moms.

• Have you been feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time?
• Have you had changes in appetite or sleep?
• Do you feel more angry or anxious than usual?
• Have you lost interest in your baby or doubted your ability to care for them?
• Have you had thoughts of harming yourself or your baby?

Evidence source

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Postpartum Depression Screening