How long do postpartum blues (postpartum depression) typically last?

Postpartum Blues Duration

Postpartum blues typically lasts for a few days and resolves spontaneously within the first 10 days after delivery, with complete resolution expected by 2 weeks postpartum. 1, 2

Timeline and Natural Course

• Onset: Postpartum blues begins during the first week after birth 3
• Duration: Lasts a few days and disappears without medical treatment 3
• Resolution deadline: Symptoms resolve within the first 10 days after delivery 1
• Maximum duration: Should be completely resolved by 2 weeks postpartum 2

Critical Distinction from Postpartum Depression

The 2-week mark is the critical transition point that distinguishes postpartum blues from postpartum depression. 2 This distinction is clinically essential because:

• Postpartum blues is a milder, self-limited mood disruption that resolves within 10 days 1
• Postpartum depression is a clinical condition requiring at least 2 weeks of symptoms with significant functional impairment 1
• If symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks from delivery, formal diagnosis and treatment for postpartum depression should be initiated 2

Clinical Management at the 2-Week Threshold

If a woman presents at 2 weeks postpartum with ongoing mood symptoms, you must establish close monitoring rather than assume spontaneous resolution. 2 The specific approach includes:

• Administer the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) immediately to establish baseline (95% sensitivity, 93% specificity) 2
• Schedule reassessment within 1-2 weeks (at 3-4 weeks postpartum) to determine if symptoms are resolving or progressing 2
• Document current EPDS score, protective factors (social support, successful breastfeeding), and create a clear follow-up timeline 2

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Do not dismiss symptoms at 2 weeks as "normal blues" without establishing a monitoring plan—postpartum blues is an independent risk factor for postpartum depression, raising the risk almost 3-fold. 4 Additionally:

• Severe postpartum blues predicts depression that onsets sooner after delivery and lasts longer, largely accounted for by major depression 4
• Depression prevalence actually increases over time, peaking at 12 weeks postpartum (17.4%) and continuing to rise through the first year 2, 5
• Nearly 3 in 5 women (57.4%) with depression at 9-10 months postpartum did not report symptoms at 2-6 months, indicating many cases emerge later 5

Risk Progression

Women with severe postpartum blues have almost 3 times the risk of developing postpartum depression in the subsequent 6 months. 4 The high-risk period for postpartum depression onset is:

• First 4-6 weeks represent the highest-risk period for symptom onset 5
• Peak prevalence occurs at 8-12 weeks postpartum (12.9% at 8 weeks, 17.4% at 12 weeks) 5
• Depression can develop at any point up to one year postpartum 5, 6