“Atypical” Depression Following Childbirth

It is common knowledge that women often get depressed after childbirth. Yet there has been little evaluation of what this depression amounts to. Transitory tearfulness in the early puerperium, as observed in maternity wards, is commonplace; has been designated “the Blues”—3rd, 4th or 10th day, Maternity or Mother's—and is generally regarded as a normal phenomenon. It has been variously attributed to psychological difficulties and physical discomfort at the onset of lactation, “narcissistic loss before rediscovery of the child” (Sclare, 1955), perineal soreness and hormonal changes.