Stevens Lm

JAMA patient page . Postpartum depression.

Having a baby can be a joyous occasion, but being a new mother can also be stressful and difficult. Taking time to adjust to the demands and changes that come with parenting is normal, but about 13% of pregnant women and new mothers feel depressed and have related symptoms. When this occurs following childbirth, it is called postpartum depression. The October 20, 2010, issue of JAMA includes an article reporting that fish oil capsules taken during pregnancy did not result in lower levels of postpartum depression. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the February 13, 2002, issue of JAMA.