Prenatal Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

Personal History of depression, panic, extreme anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, psychosis or an eating disorder

Current or past use of psychotropic medication or herbs for mood stabilization

Previous pregnancy or postpartum mood disorder

History of severe premenstrual mood changes (PMS or PMDD)

Family history of mental illness

Personal or family history of substance abuse

Currently smokes

Inadequate emotional and/or physical support

History of trauma (sexual abuse, birth-related trauma, physical abuse, etc.)

Major life stressors (for example, moving, job change, deaths, financial problems)

Health problems for the mother or the fetus/baby

Personal or family history of thyroid disorder

Excerpt from: Bennett, S., Indman, P. Beyond the Blues, A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression, Moodswings Press, 2006, pg 78-80