Postpartum depression

Pregnancy, birth, and newborn, Mental health and substance use.

How common is Postpartum depression in the US?

Postpartum depressive symptoms reported on a survey: 13.2% (Survey respondents with a recent live birth; 31 survey sites, not the whole country, 2018). Source: MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (CDC), 2020. Label: VERIFIED.

• 13.2% Postpartum depressive symptoms reported on a survey. Out of: Survey respondents with a recent live birth. Where: 31 survey sites, not the whole country. When: 2018. Measures reported symptoms, not a diagnosis. Label: VERIFIED.

  Among respondents from 31 sites, the prevalence of PDS was 13.2%, ranging from 9.7% in Illinois to 23.5% in Mississippi.

  Source: Vital Signs: Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Provider Discussions About Perinatal Depression - United States, 2018. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (CDC), 2020. PubMed 32407302. DOI 10.15585/mmwr.mm6919a2.

Each figure measures something different. Do not compare them with each other or with other conditions.

Medical codes

• ICD-10-CM FY2026: F53.0 Postpartum depression (exact)

Research activity

As of 2026-09-24: 650 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov (search Postpartum Depression) and 3,565 PubMed records, 2021 to 2025. A count of records is not how common or serious the condition is.

Population information, not medical advice. Methodology · Known limitations