Postnatal depression can affect women in different ways. It can start at any point in the first year after giving birth, and may develop suddenly or gradually.
Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is often called the baby blues and is so common that it's considered normal. The baby blues don't last for more than two weeks after giving birth. So if your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.
Read our health information page about Postnatal depression, which has information about postpartum psychosis.