postpartum depression

American  

[pohst-pahrtuhm di-presh-uhn] / ˈpoʊstˌpɑrtəm dɪˈprɛʃ ən /

noun

1. Psychiatry. clinical depression in a mother, beginning shortly after giving birth and typically lasting from weeks to months, due partly to the hormonal disruption caused by childbirth and the psychological challenge posed by the sudden change in role and identity: characterized variously by withdrawal, low self-image, failure to bond with one’s infant, lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of postpartum depression

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Distinct from postpartum depression and the baby blues, conditions that are pervasive and persistent, D-MER is episodic, flaring and disappearing within minutes, completely related to the act of breastfeeding.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

This could help not just with pregnancy in general, but also when things go wrong, including postpartum depression, she says.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Half of the mistakes we see Perfidia make is her dealing with postpartum depression.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

Now that the process has come to an end and the movie is about to be released, the director jokes he's "now in postpartum depression".

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

She had probably had postpartum depression at the very least, Mia realized, perhaps even a postpartum psychotic break.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng