MRCP revision battle 44.4: Baby blues, post natal depression and psychosis

Every now and then the MRCP exam will throw a slightly curve-ball question about a woman who has recently given birth being depressed.  The key facts to know ready to deal with this are:

1. 'baby blues'
• affects 60-70% of mothers 
• tends to last for 3 to 7 days
• characterised by being weepy and irritable
2. post natal depression
• affects 10% of mothers
• begins 1 to 3 months after childbirth
3. postpartum psychosis
• affects 0.2% of mothers
• riskiest period is 2 to 3 weeks post partum
• there is a 20% risk of reccurence with subsequent births

 Next - on to an overdose