As with nonpregnant women, mild depression in pregnancy and postpartum can be treated with psychological therapies.

If medication is required and a woman is pregnant, she should discuss this with her healthcare provider, as some medications carry a risk of affecting the fetus. This risk needs to be weighed against the risk of the mother’s depression symptoms being untreated or getting worse.

Postpartum depression is usually treated with a mixed approach including psychological treatment, medication, and addressing specific issues in the postpartum period, such as sleep deprivation and family stressors. Psychological treatment can be given in group settings as well as individually. Education on looking after the newborn is useful, too. When deciding on an antidepressant medication, it is important to remember that some medications can be secreted into breast milk and, therefore, may not be the first choice for a breastfeeding woman.

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