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Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth - NCMHEP | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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Health Matters</div> <p><strong>Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy</strong></p> <p>Depression and anxiety can happen during pregnancy or after birth. Learn the signs and how to get help.</p> </div> </div> <div id="block-nichd-ncm-breadcrumbs" class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block display-none tablet:display-flex grid-col-fill"> <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <nav class="usa-breadcrumb usa-breadcrumb--wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list add-list-reset uswds-breadcrumbs uswds-horizontal-list"> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/ncmhep" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Home</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/ncmhep/initiatives" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Initiatives</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Moms' Mental Health Matters</span></a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/moms" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Moms-to-be 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class="usa-button button-light print" onclick="window.print()" type="submit">Print</button> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-8 region-content"> <a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> <a id="main-content"></a> <!-- googleon: index --> <div class="region region-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <h1 id="block-nichd-ncm-page-display-title" class="page-header">Action Plan for Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy and After Birth</h1> <div id="block-nichd-ncm-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block"> <article data-history-node-id="861982"> <div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Use this action plan to see if what you are feeling is depression and anxiety during <a href="/health/topics/pregnancy" target="_blank">pregnancy</a> or after birth, and if you should seek help.</p> <p>Note: This action plan is designed to help you understand the signs of depression and anxiety and to take steps to feel better. It is <em>not meant to take the place of professional medical advice</em>. If you are concerned about how you're feeling, <a href="/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/Pages/find-help.aspx">talk with someone now</a>.</p> <h2>Green - Action Plan</h2> <table style="margin-top:-5px;width:100%;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" role="presentation"><tbody><tr> <td style="border:1px solid #016d33;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <div style="background-color:#016d33;color:white;padding:5px;width:100%;"><strong>If you...</strong></div> <ul> <li style="padding:2px;">Feel like you just aren't yourself</li> <li style="padding:2px;">Have trouble managing your emotions</li> <li style="padding:2px;">Feel overwhelmed but are still able to care for yourself and your baby</li> </ul> </td> <td style="background-color:#cce2d5;border-bottom:1px solid #016d33;border-right:1px solid #016d33;border-top:1px solid #016d33;padding:5px;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <p><strong>You may be experiencing mood swings that happen to many pregnant women and new moms. </strong><br><br>These feelings typically go away after a couple of weeks.</p> <ul> <li>Take special care of yourself. Get your partner to watch the baby, get a babysitter, or team up with another mom to share child care so that you can rest and exercise.</li> <li>Continue to watch for the signs of depression and anxiety in the yellow and red sections below. If things get worse, find someone to talk to. Talk to a health care provider if you feel unsure.</li> </ul> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <h2>Yellow - Action Plan</h2> <table style="margin-top:-5px;width:100%;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" role="presentation"><tbody><tr> <td style="border:1px solid #feda00;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <div style="background-color:#feda00;color:black;padding:5px;width:100%;"><strong>If you...</strong></div> <ul> <li style="padding:2px;">Have feelings of intense anxiety that hit with no warning</li> <li>Feel foggy and have difficulty completing tasks</li> <li>Feel "robotic," like you are just going through the motions</li> <li>Have little interest in things you used to enjoy</li> <li>Feel very anxious around the baby and your other children</li> <li>Have scary, upsetting thoughts that don't go away</li> <li>Feel guilty and feel like you are failing at motherhood</li> </ul> </td> <td style="background-color:#fff8cc;border-bottom:1px solid #feda00;border-right:1px solid #feda00;border-top:1px solid #feda00;padding:5px;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <p><strong>You may be experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety</strong><br><br>These feelings will not go away on their own.<br> </p> <ul> <li>Get help. Contact your health care provider or visit a clinic.</li> <li>Call Postpartum Support International at <strong>1-800-944-4PPD (4773)</strong> to speak to a volunteer who can provide support and resources in your area.</li> <li>Talk to your partner, family, and friends about these feeling so they can help you.</li> </ul> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <h2>Red - Action Plan</h2> <table style="margin-top:-5px;width:100%;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" role="presentation"><tbody><tr> <td style="border:1px solid #de1d20;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <div style="background-color:#de1d20;color:white;padding:5px;width:100%;"><strong>If you...</strong></div> <ul> <li style="padding:2px;">Feel hopeless and total despair</li> <li>Feel out of touch with reality (you may see or hear things other people don't)</li> <li>Feel that you may hurt yourself or your baby</li> </ul> </td> <td style="background-color:#f8d1d2;border-bottom:1px solid #de1d20;border-right:1px solid #de1d20;border-top:1px solid #de1d20;padding:5px;vertical-align:top;" width="33%"> <p><strong>Get help now!</strong></p> <ul> <li>Call <strong>9-1-1</strong> for immediate help.</li> <li>Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at <strong style="line-height:1.42857;">1-800-273-TALK (8255) </strong><span style="line-height:1.42857;">for free and confidential emotional support - they don't just talk about suicide.</span> </li> <li>Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Locator at <strong>1-800-662-HELP (4357)</strong> to find a mental health provider in your area.</li> </ul> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <p> </p> <p><strong>Download a printable version of the action plan for yourself, a family member, friend, or patient.</strong></p> <p><strong><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ActionPlan_DepressionAnxiety-thumbnail.png" data-entity-uuid="5481c7b2-e0a6-4060-9bc4-3ad70cf9803c" data-entity-type="file" alt="Moms' Mental Health Matters Action Plan Tear Pad" 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