Postpartum Depression – What You Need To Know

A lot of people talk about all the changes that happen to you during pregnancy — all the ways your body is changing, the hormone fluctuations, the things your body is doing to support a developing baby. But we don’t always talk as much about what happens to your body after the baby is born.

Childbirth is followed by a lot of emotions – and not all of them are happiness and joy. Many mothers – 50-75% – experience waves of sadness, fear, anxiety, crying, mood swings, and difficulty making decisions. You might have heard these emotions referred to as “The Baby Blues.” This is really common and will resolve on its own after a couple of weeks — after a little adjustment period. Babies are exhausting and your hormones are adjusting to a new normal, so it makes sense that you’d need a couple of weeks for your body to adjust – physically and emotionally.

You can help yourself during the Baby Blues by giving yourself a little TLC — sleep when the baby sleeps, eat healthy foods, ask for help, seek out support, and exercise. Give yourself some grace while you adjust to a new normal.

But sometimes the sadness and mood swings are more intense and last longer than two weeks. Sometimes The Baby Blues transition into a real depression called postpartum depression. This is a real medical illness.

So what are the signs of postpartum depression?

Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feeling
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest in anything you used to find fun
Fatigue or abnormal decrease in energy
Restlessness or trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping – even when the baby is sleeping
Oversleeping
Abnormal appetite
Aches, pains, digestive problems – that do not get better with treatment or that have no explained cause
Trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with your baby
Thoughts about death, suicide, or harming your baby

There isn’t just one cause for postpartum depression. Any woman can experience it. But some factors can make it more likely for someone to experience postpartum depression — a history of mental illness, past trauma, previous postpartum depression, additional life stresses, and the loss of a baby, either through stillbirth or placing the baby for adoption.

If you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, it’s important for you to know you aren’t alone. As many as one in five women experience postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. This means – you probably know someone who can relate to what you’re going through.

What can you do if you’re having symptoms of postpartum depression?

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer alone. There are treatments available. Call your healthcare provider and ask for help. Most healthcare providers will recommend medicine, therapy/counseling, or a combination of both. The FDA has even approved one medication specifically to treat postpartum depression. There are options to help you.

A small percentage of women experience something even more severe than postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness and needs immediate help. Women experiencing postpartum psychosis may have delusions (thoughts that aren’t true), hallucinations (hearing or seeing or smelling things that aren’t real), mania (feeling very elated and out of touch with reality), paranoia, or confusion. Women who have postpartum psychosis may be at risk of harming themselves or their children. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency and needs to be addressed immediately. This is a call-911 situation. Recovery from postpartum psychosis is possible with immediate treatment.

If you think you’re experiencing postpartum depression, ask for help. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and call your healthcare provider. If you don’t know who to call for help, call us. We’ll listen and help you find the resources you need.

Pregnancy and childbirth — growing and delivering a baby — That’s hard work! You’ve done hard work! And it makes sense that your body takes time to adjust physically, mentally, and emotionally. You are strong and amazing! And it’s OK to ask for help when you need help.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.