# Low mood after having a baby: causes and when to see a doctor

_Low mood after having a baby: what it can be linked to, how urgent it is and what to do next. Kenya guidance from My Wellness Health._

Canonical: https://guides.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/symptoms/low-mood-after-having-a-baby

Author: My Wellness Health, Editorial team · Reviewed by: the My Wellness Health clinical team on 7 Oct 2026

Last updated: 7 Oct 2026 · Published by My Wellness Health — Preventive Healthcare & Care Navigation

> Tearfulness in the first two weeks (baby blues) is common. Low mood that lasts longer can be postpartum depression, which affected nearly 1 in 5 mothers in one Kenyan study. Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby need help the same day.

**Low mood after having a baby: what to do**

| How urgent | What a clinician will check | How we help | Fee |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby need help the same day. | A mood screen and a talk with a clinician. | Mental health screening | Mental health screening, KES 100 |

## Low mood after having a baby: common questions

**Q: What can cause low mood after having a baby?**

A: Tearfulness in the first two weeks (baby blues) is common. Low mood that lasts longer can be postpartum depression, which affected nearly 1 in 5 mothers in one Kenyan study.

**Q: When should I see a doctor?**

A: Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby need help the same day.

**Q: What will the doctor check?**

A: A mood screen and a talk with a clinician.

**Q: Is low mood after having a baby serious?**

A: Usually not, but it is worth getting checked so a clinician can find the cause. Only an examination and tests can tell.

**Q: How can My Wellness Health help?**

A: My Wellness Health's mental health screening (Mental health screening, KES 100) looks at your symptoms, history and lifestyle and gives you a personalised risk report with clear next steps. A care navigator calls you back within 2 hours to help you book any screening you need at a facility that suits your budget and location. Assessment fees do not include tests or consultations at the facility.

This page is health information to help you understand risks and next steps. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation with a qualified clinician. My Wellness Health is not a diagnostic service: we help you understand your risk and connect you with the right screening and care. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 999 or 112. If you are thinking of harming yourself, call Befrienders Kenya on +254 722 178 177 or the Kenya Red Cross toll-free line 1199.

## Sources

- [My Wellness Health](https://www.mywellnesshealth.co.ke/)
- [Postpartum depression among women in Kenya, cohort study (PMC6167779)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6167779/)
- [Ministry of Health Kenya, Protocols for Management of Selected NCDs at Primary Care (2025)](https://health.go.ke/sites/default/files/2025-07/FINAL_NCD%20protocols.pdf)

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