PHQ9 – English | Spanish

Only a health care provider can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. Because symptoms of this condition are broad and may vary between women, a health care provider can help a woman figure out whether the symptoms she is feeling are due to postpartum depression or something else. A woman who experiences any of these symptoms should see a health care provider right away. There are screening tools that can help indicate whether you may have maternal depression. A diagnosis, however, can only come from a medical or mental health provider.  You can print a screen here, answer the questions and take it to your doctor.  However,  if you score high on the screen, it is very important that you seek help immediately.¹

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during and after childbirth. Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others.¹

All women should be screened once each trimester and at the postpartum visit. Women may call for an appointment at any time during their pregnancy as well as several months after delivery. The AAP recommends integrating postpartum depression surveillance and screening at the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month visits.²

1. National Institute of Mental Health. Postpartum Depression Facts. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Screening Recommendations. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Screening/Pages/Screening-Recommendations.aspx