Psychiatric disorders associated with childbearing have been recognized for centuries and are traditionally divided into three categories which reflect severity: postpartum or maternity blues, postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum or puerperal psychosis.

Epidemiological surveys have estimated that more than 80% of the women of reproductive age experience some depressive mood symptoms attributed to either the antepartum or postpartum period. The American Psychiatric Association has recently acknowledged that there is a specific link between mood disorders and childbearing, and that psychiatric disorders triggered by pregnancy or birth have unique characteristics.