Depression after childbirth can vary in duration and severity - ranging from mild to severe forms. Many new moms experience a mild, short-lived depression, sometimes called the baby blues. This condition includes symptoms such as sadness and anxiety, which usually begin in the initial days after childbirth and last for about seven to 10 days.

About 10 percent of new mothers experience a more severe form of depression called postpartum depression. The associated feelings, such as sadness, anxiety and restlessness, can be so strong that they interfere with daily tasks. Postpartum depression can occur at any time within about the first six months after giving birth. If left untreated, it can last up to a year or longer.

In rare cases, an even more severe form of depression, postpartum psychosis, can develop. Some of the symptoms of this mental illness are similar to those of postpartum depression, but they're more extreme.

Experiencing depression after childbirth isn't a character flaw or a weakness. For many, it's a normal part of giving birth. The good news is that for most, a combination of self-care measures and medical treatment can improve symptoms.

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