News•Mar 3, 2026
Can Postpartum Depression Start Months After Birth? Experts Explain
Postpartum depression (PPD) can surface months after birth, with research showing onset as late as 12 months postpartum. While the DSM‑5 limits PPD to the first four weeks, clinicians often treat any depression arising within the first year as postpartum‑related. Prevalence estimates range from 10‑20% globally, but experts suggest up to one in three mothers, especially BIPOC women, may be affected. Late‑onset cases frequently go unnoticed because routine screening ends after the six‑week check‑up.
