Women who have a mother or sister who suffered from postpartum depression are more likely to experience depression after pregnancy themselves.
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that occurs after the birth of a child, characterized by negative thinking patterns and feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and despondency. Unlike the “baby blues,” which last for a month or less, postpartum depression deepens and lasts beyond the first month after birth.
While about 10 to 20 percent of women experience postpartum depression, some women are at greater risk of the condition. The condition seems to run in families, although it’s unclear whether the link stems from genetic or environmental factors — or a combination.
Learn more about which women are at greater risk of postpartum depression.