Heavy feelings after birth are common – and they deserve to be heard.
Possible signs
- Lasting sadness or emptiness beyond two weeks.
- Strong anxiety, racing thoughts, sleep problems despite exhaustion.
- Little interest in the baby, or the opposite: a compulsion to check constantly.
- Thoughts that your family would be better off without you.
Gentle first steps
- Talk to someone you trust, even when it's hard.
- Speak to your midwife, gynaecologist or paediatrician – they know this topic well.
- Pregnancy and family counselling services are free of charge.
When it's acute
- Emotional support helplines are available anonymously, 24/7 (in Germany, TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111).
- Non-emergency medical on-call service (in Germany, 116117).
- Emergency (including suicidal thoughts or acute danger): 112.
You are not "weak". You need support – and you're entitled to it.