Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition
that affects an estimated 13% to 19% of women who have
recently given birth [1]. Postpartum depression is characterized
as a persistent low mood in new mothers, which is often
accompanied by feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and/or
hopelessness. Postpartum depression differs from the “baby
blues,” as the “baby blues” is a briefer period of emotional
disturbance (including dysphoria, tearfulness, mood lability,
trouble sleeping, irritability, and anxiety) that is experienced
by up to 4 in 5 women within the first few days following
childbirth and usually remits within 10 days [1, 2].
Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for
Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) classifies depression
with peripartum onset as beginning during pregnancy or
within the first four weeks postpartum [3].The International
Classification ofDiseases (ICD) classifies postpartumdepression
as occurring within the first six weeks postpartum[4]. In
contrast to the current criteria, some researchers recommend