Postpartum Depression Following a Multiples Pregnancy

According to the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs (NOMOTC), more women suffer postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth to multiples than do women who have singletons. In a study conducted by the NOMOTC, 11% of women developed PPD after their singleton birth, but 33% experienced PPD after a birth involving multiples. For those who had given birth to both singletons and multiples, 72% of the women felt their depression was longer and deeper after having multiples than after their singleton births.

Unfortunately, studies have failed to pinpoint a reason for these findings. One reason might be larger fluctuations in hormone levels after a multiple-birth pregnancy. Many of these pregnancies are the result of fertility treatments, which can also affect hormonal levels. The NOMOTC found that when women used fertility medications to become pregnant, 40% of them experienced depression for longer than two weeks.

It’s important to distinguish postpartum depression from “postpartum blues,” which are much more common. Generally, the blues last less than two weeks and are accompanied by irritability, mood swings, fatigue, appetite fluctuations, and trouble concentrating. The NOMOTC found that 40% of women experienced the “blues” after a multiple-birth pregnancy. (Only 22.5% got the blues after a singleton pregnancy.) However, 20% of those moms of multiples who started out with the blues later developed major depression.

The scariest findings of the study indicate that a large number of women fail to get help when they’re experiencing PPD. Forty-nine percent of those who had five or more symptoms of PPD failed to tell their doctors. Treatment may involve medication, counseling, or a combination of both. Experts also advise women with PPD to network with other mothers who are in similar situations. Mothers of twins or multiples may find this type of support in a multiples’ support group. If you’re experiencing symptoms of postpartum blues or depression, please report it to your doctor right away so you can receive the relief and the help you need—and start enjoying life with your new multiples!

Information obtained from “Postpartum depression and multiples,” by Rebecca Moskwinski, MD, TWINS Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2007.

About the Author

Susan M. Heim is a writer and editor, specializing in multiples, parenting, women’s and Christian issues. A former Senior Editor for Health Communications, Inc., she specialized in the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, as well as teen, religion and other self-help books. Susan is the author of Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year, Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families…with Twins, Multiples and Singletons, and It’s Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence. Susan's articles and essays have appeared in many books, magazines and Web sites. In addition to her own projects, Susan enjoys developing proposals and manuscripts with many high-profile authors. She is a member of the National Association of Women Writers and the Southeastern Writers Association, and has a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University. Susan lives with her husband and four sons in south Florida.

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