About this tool
- •The EPDS is the 10-item, free, validated screening tool used worldwide for postpartum depression and perinatal mental-health concerns.
- •Each item is scored 0-3, total 0-30. Cutoffs: 10+ suggests possible depression (consider further evaluation), 13+ suggests probable depression (clinical evaluation appropriate).
- •The EPDS asks specifically about the past 7 days — capturing current state rather than the entire postpartum period. Repeat administrations track change over time.
- •Item 10 asks about thoughts of self-harm. ANY non-zero response on item 10 warrants prompt professional contact regardless of the total score.
- •Postpartum anxiety is common but often missed because attention focuses on depression specifically. The EPDS captures both — items 4 and 5 specifically assess anxiety and panic.
- •EPDS was developed by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky (1987) at the University of Edinburgh. It is in the public domain.
Take the EPDS
You've recently had a baby, and we would like to know how you're feeling. Please select the response that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS, not just how you feel today.
0 of 10 answered
Your answers are processed in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent to anyone — including Tovani — until you choose to.
Frequently asked
How is this different from baby blues?
Baby blues affect up to 80% of mothers in the first 2 weeks — characterized by mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, irritability that resolve on their own. Postpartum depression typically begins or persists beyond 2 weeks, has more severe symptoms, doesn't resolve without intervention, and significantly affects function and bonding. The EPDS helps differentiate.
Can I take antidepressants while breastfeeding?
Yes — multiple SSRIs are well-studied in lactation and considered compatible with breastfeeding. Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are the most-recommended choices. Discuss with your OBGYN or pediatrician; the LactMed database has detailed safety information by medication. Treatment of postpartum depression typically benefits both you and your baby more than the small risks of medication exposure.
My doctor said to "give it more time." What if it's not getting better?
"Wait and see" isn't the right answer for postpartum depression past the first 2-3 weeks. Untreated postpartum depression can persist for years and affects both maternal and infant outcomes. If your symptoms aren't improving with rest and time, seek a second opinion — preferably from a psychiatrist or therapist familiar with perinatal mental health, not just your OB.
I had thoughts of hurting my baby. What do I do?
Reach out now. This is not a sign you're a bad mother — it's a clinical symptom called intrusive thoughts that affects up to 60% of postpartum mothers and is treatable. If the thoughts are accompanied by an urge or plan to act, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) immediately. If they're intrusive (unwanted thoughts that don't reflect what you want to do), urgent psychiatric evaluation is appropriate. You won't lose your baby for getting help — but untreated postpartum depression with severe symptoms has worse outcomes for both of you.
Will ketamine help my postpartum depression?
For treatment-resistant cases where SSRIs and therapy haven't produced enough response, emerging evidence supports ketamine in the postpartum population — particularly meaningful when waiting 4-6 weeks for an SSRI isn't compatible with caring for an infant. Newer postpartum-specific agents (Zulresso brexanolone, Zurzuvae zuranolone) are first-line options to consider before ketamine. For breastfeeding mothers, ketamine timing relative to feeding requires specific clinical evaluation.
References
- Murrough JW et al. 2013, American Journal of Psychiatry. Ketamine RCT in treatment-resistant depression — emerging postpartum-specific research builds on this foundational evidence base. PMID 23982301
- Sanacora G et al. 2017, JAMA Psychiatry. APA consensus on ketamine in mood disorders — addresses use cases including peripartum scenarios with careful clinical screening. PMID 28249076