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Education > Our Community Education Services
Suicide Risk and Prevention – Mothers-To-Be and New Mothers
Initiatives to prevent suicide must also address the need of adults in the middle years. The following
article discusses “Mothers-to-be and New Mothers”. Also read our article about the needs of “Men in the
Middle Years”.
Depression can occur during pregnancy or within the year after delivery. There are no exact statistics on
women with depression during this time, but experts agree that depression is one of the most common
problems within and after pregnancy. Sometimes, this depression is not recognized or treated because
some normal pregnancy changes may cause similar symptoms.
Is this a large problem?
Consider these facts:
- Approximately 15-20% of pregnant women experience depression. Sometimes, symptoms of
depression are not recognized or they are mistakenly thought to be related to changing
hormones. Of these women, about 15% are so severely depressed that they attempt suicide.
- Postpartum depression is the most common disorder after childbirth.
- More women develop depression after childbirth than any other time.
- 50-80% of new mothers get the “baby blues,” depressive symptoms that end within 12 days after
birth. Of these women, 20% will develop postpartum depression.
- Approximately 1-2 out of 1,000 new mothers develop postpartum psychosis, a serious disorder
with possible paranoia, mood swings, delusions and/or hallucinations. In this case, immediate
medical attention is required.
What do we know about these mothers?
- Depression and other mood disorders may interfere with a mother’s ability to function on a day-
today basis.
- Postpartum complications in the mother can occur within days of the delivery or appear gradually,
sometimes up to a year or so later.
- Depressive feelings in the mother may vary in frequency and intensity.
What increases the likelihood that a mother will develop postpartum depression?
- 50% of mothers who previously experienced postpartum depression will develop it again.
- 25% of mothers who suffer from depression will develop postpartum depression.
- A previous bipolar disorder is a risk factor.
- Depression or bipolar disorders in the family are risk factors.
- Previous significant history of premenstrual syndrome.
- Stressful situations including childbirth, health problems in the baby or mother, marital problems,
lack of assistance with baby care and lack of emotional support can also be risk factors.
What decreases the likelihood that a new mother will suffer from postpartum
depression?
- If a woman has had postpartum depression in the past, most experts recommend beginning
preventive treatment with antidepressant medication right after delivery.
- Some experts would start a preventive program during the mother’s third trimester if she were at
very high risk.
- Another option is to begin therapy 2-3 months before the due date and add antidepressant
medication in the final few weeks when there is almost no risk to the fetus.
- Support groups can also be helpful. These groups can help a woman feel less alone, learn
coping skills and find local resources.
How can we better diagnose and treat postpartum depression?
- Obstetricians can screen for depression and refer women to mental health treatment.
- Open dialogue about prenatal and postpartum depression to decrease stigma.
- Training of medical staff to help identify postpartum depression.
- Family members need to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with postpartum
depression and may need to step in to offer support or referral.
- Home visiting services are gaining recognition. Home visitors provide weekly home visits until the
child is 6 months old and can assist in support and referral services.
(These data reported in Saving Lives in New York: Suicide Prevention and Public Health Volume 2, 2005 and
http://www.postpartum.net.)
Where Can I Find More Information?
For information on this web site, go to our Suicide in Children/Adolescents and Suicide in Adults pages
for warning signs, who is at risk and advice on what to do to help.
Postpartum International
http://www.postpartum.net
This is an international postpartum site featuring resources, links to support groups and information.
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States
government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human
services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves
US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm
“The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent Suicide” presented in 1999, outlines more than a
dozen steps that can be taken by individuals, communities, organizations, and policymakers.
New York State Office of Mental Health
http://www.omh.state.ny.us
This site describes the Office of Mental Health, its initiatives and resources. It also has links to other sites
related to mental health.
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