Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious debilitating psychiatric mood disorder and a major public health concern worldwide, as it may convey significant negative consequences to the mother and offspring. The symptoms including severe mood swings, sleep disturbances and emotional arousals, may lead to suicide or infanticide thus making the early diagnosis of postpartum depression crucial. This review based on data from studies in the United States of America, indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic lead to a significant increase of almost 36% in postpartum depression compared to pre-pandemic levels. The surge in the levels of anxiety, fear and insecurity about the future in women, the poorer medical care support, social distancing and the increased domestic violence incidents are factors linked to the raise of postpartum depression rates. Women with a history of depressive symptoms are more likely to experience a relapse, while the probability of developing postpartum depression is higher in cases where women give birth to their first child. Anxiety about the ability to make the necessary medical visits is a serious additional risk factor for the marginalized groups of women, while studies show poor quality and effectiveness of the online information sessions women received by medical or midwifery staff.