Wisconsin PRAMS: Perinatal Depression

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Management System (PRAMS): Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression, defined as depression during pregnancy, around childbirth, or within the first year postpartum, is common.6 At least 13% of women have major depressive symptoms while pregnant and about 14% of women experience postpartum depression in the 12 months after delivery.

However, there may be a significantly greater number of women experiencing perinatal depression both nationally and statewide. Researchers have noted that many cases of perinatal depression remain undiagnosed due to time constraints on the time mothers spend with providers and provider concerns about the social acceptability of screening.1 Other cases are dismissed as normal mood shifts.