The cause of postnatal depression (PND) is not completely clear. The condition can affect any mother (or father). PND does not usually have a single cause, but is the result of a combination of factors. Depression is often caused by emotional and stressful events, such as moving house, the break-up of a relationship, the death of a relative or having a baby.

In terms of PND, stressful events around the birth can increase your risk of getting the condition. This may include factors such as:

• depression during the pregnancy,
• worry and anxiety about the responsibility of having a new baby,
• a difficult delivery,
• lack of support at home,
• relationship worries,
• money problems,
• having no close family or friends around you,
• mental health problems in the past, such as depression or previous postnatal depression, and
• physical health problems following the birth, such as anaemia or urinary incontinence.

Aside from other factors, having a baby is a life-changing event in itself. It can often be extremely exhausting and a very stressful experience.

Genetics and hormones

As depression tends to run in families, genetics are thought to play a part in the PND, but the exact nature of the link between the condition and genetics is not fully understood. The huge changes in hormone levels that occur during and after pregnancy were once thought to cause PND. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case. It is much more likely that the condition is related to the combination of life changes that occur after childbirth.