Originally published on June 25, 2024 by Vital Physiotherapy & Wellness, now part of the Bravella Health network. Original author: Vital Staff.
Motherhood is a wonderful, magical undertaking, and in order to show up for ourselves and families, we cannot understate the importance of taking care of EVERY aspect of your health!
Before and during pregnancy, the fantasy of having a baby is nothing short of blissful! You expect to be overcome with feelings of joy and elation, and to never miss your previous life, because seeing your baby would only make you excited for the future!
The story that motherhood is all sunshine and rainbows is a lie we have been fed. Many of us have believed it and are using it against ourselves daily.
Before you can recover from the 9 months of pregnancy and then birth, you are thrown into an entirely new role of parenting! Sleepless nights, diapers, feeding, and of course the never-ending crying. It is an emotional and physical roller coaster with many highs and lows!
But what happens if you start to notice that your lows outnumber your highs?
It’s time we have an honest conversation about postpartum depression (PPD). If you are experiencing PD you are not alone! Approximately 10-15% of mothers are affected.[1,2] While the signs are sometimes mistaken for the baby blues, PPD symptoms are more intense and last longer, eventually interfering with a mother’s ability to care for their baby and handle other daily tasks.[3,4]
If you think you may be struggling, please reach out to your healthcare provider (family doctor, OB, midwife or nurse practitioner). If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 9-8-8, Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time of day or night.[5]
References
- World Health Organization. Perinatal mental health. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/perinatal-mental-health
- Wang Z, Liu J, Shuai H, et al. Mapping global prevalence of depression among postpartum women. Transl Psychiatry. 2021;11(1):543. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01663-6
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Postpartum depression: symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Updated November 24, 2022. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Screening and diagnosis of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141(6):1232-1261. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000005200
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/988
