You answered 10 questions about how you've felt in the past week and got a score between 0 and 30. The EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was designed specifically for people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby. Here's what your score means.
The quick answer
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0-9 | Depression unlikely |
| 10-12 | Possible depression; worth monitoring |
| 13+ | Likely depression; professional evaluation recommended |
Important: Any positive response to question 10 (thoughts of self-harm) requires immediate attention, regardless of your total score.
Why there's a special test for the perinatal period
Pregnancy and the postpartum period come with symptoms that overlap with depression: exhaustion, sleep problems, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating. On a standard depression test, these normal experiences would inflate your score.
The EPDS was designed to solve this problem. It focuses on emotional and psychological symptoms rather than physical ones:
- Can you laugh and see the funny side of things?
- Do you look forward to things with enjoyment?
- Do you blame yourself unnecessarily when things go wrong?
- Have you felt scared or panicky for no good reason?
This makes it more accurate at detecting actual mood problems rather than normal postpartum experiences.
What the 10 questions measure
Positive emotions (Questions 1-2) ask about your ability to laugh and see humor, and whether you look forward to things with enjoyment. These capture anhedonia—the loss of pleasure that's central to depression.
Self-blame (Question 3) asks whether you blame yourself unnecessarily when things go wrong. New parents often feel guilty or inadequate. Excessive self-blame beyond what the situation warrants suggests depression.
Anxiety (Questions 4-5) ask about feeling anxious or worried for no good reason, and feeling scared or panicky without cause. Perinatal anxiety often accompanies depression and is common in its own right.
Overwhelm (Question 6) asks whether things are getting on top of you. This directly addresses whether you're coping with the demands you're facing.
Sleep and sadness (Questions 7-9) ask about unhappiness causing sleep difficulty (not baby-related sleep loss), feeling sad or miserable, and being so unhappy you've been crying. These are core depressive symptoms, with sleep specifically framed around unhappiness rather than infant care.
Self-harm (Question 10) asks about thoughts of harming yourself. Any positive response here needs immediate follow-up, regardless of total score.
What to do based on your score
Score 0-9 (depression unlikely)
Your score doesn't suggest depression. The postpartum period is still hard—exhaustion, adjustment, and emotional ups and downs are normal. But you're not showing signs of clinical depression.
If you took this because something felt off, trust that instinct. A low score doesn't mean you can't benefit from support.
Score 10-12 (possible depression)
You may have mild depressive symptoms. At this level:
- Repeat the assessment in 2 weeks to see if scores are improving or worsening
- Talk to your midwife, OB, or doctor at your next visit
- Pay attention to whether symptoms are interfering with daily life or bonding with your baby
- Don't dismiss what you're feeling as "just being a new parent"
Score 13+ (likely depression)
Your score suggests probable depression requiring professional evaluation:
- Contact your healthcare provider—your OB, midwife, primary care doctor, or a mental health professional
- Don't wait to see if it improves on its own
- Postpartum depression is common (affects 10-15% of new mothers) and highly treatable
- Getting help is not a failure—it's taking care of yourself and your baby
Any positive response to question 10
If you indicated any thoughts of self-harm (even "hardly ever"), please:
- Tell your healthcare provider immediately
- Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) if you're in the US
- Go to an emergency room if you feel unsafe
- Tell someone you trust—a partner, family member, or friend
Thoughts of self-harm during the postpartum period are more common than people realize and are a sign you need support, not judgment.
Baby blues vs. postpartum depression
Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers:
- Start within days of birth
- Include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, difficulty sleeping
- Resolve on their own within 2 weeks
Postpartum depression is different:
- Symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks or start later
- More severe and longer-lasting
- Interferes with ability to care for yourself or your baby
- Doesn't go away without intervention
If you took the EPDS in the first two weeks after birth and scored high, retake it at 2-3 weeks. If baby blues, your score should drop. If it doesn't, that's when to seek help.
Common questions
I'm still pregnant. Can I take this test?
Yes. Depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression) is also common, and the EPDS is validated for use during pregnancy. The cutoffs are the same.
My score was 9—just below the cutoff. Should I worry?
Cutoffs are guidelines, not hard lines. If you're struggling despite a "normal" score, that matters. Consider retaking in 1-2 weeks or talking to your provider anyway.
I feel fine but my score was high. What gives?
Answer based on the past 7 days. If last week was unusually hard, your score reflects that. If things feel better now, retake in a week or two. If scores stay elevated, trust the data over how you feel in this moment.
I'm a dad/partner. Can I take this?
Yes. Partners also experience depression after a baby arrives, and the EPDS has been validated for use with fathers and non-birthing parents. Cutoff scores may be slightly different (some research suggests 10+ for fathers), but the test works.
Does breastfeeding difficulty affect my score?
Breastfeeding struggles are associated with higher depression risk. The EPDS doesn't directly ask about breastfeeding, but the emotional toll can show up in your responses.
This test doesn't diagnose you
The EPDS screens for depression—it doesn't diagnose it. A high score means "further evaluation is needed," not "you definitely have postpartum depression." A low score means "depression is less likely," not "you're definitely fine."
Healthcare providers use the EPDS alongside clinical judgment, your history, and conversation about how you're doing.
Treatment works
If your score suggests postpartum depression, the good news: it's highly treatable.
Options include:
- Therapy: Particularly CBT and interpersonal therapy, which are effective for postpartum depression
- Support groups: Connecting with other parents who understand
- Medication: Many antidepressants are safe during breastfeeding
- Practical support: Help with childcare, sleep, daily tasks
Without treatment, postpartum depression can persist for months or years and affect your relationship with your baby. With treatment, most people improve significantly.
Tracking over time
The EPDS is useful for monitoring:
- During baby blues window: Take at 1 week and 2 weeks postpartum to track resolution
- Monthly for 6 months: Postpartum depression can start anytime in the first year
- During treatment: Every 2-4 weeks to track response
- Change of 3+ points: Represents meaningful change
The bottom line
Your EPDS score reflects depressive symptoms measured in a way that accounts for normal postpartum experiences. Scores of 0-9 suggest depression is unlikely. Scores of 10-12 warrant monitoring. Scores of 13+ indicate probable depression needing professional evaluation. Postpartum depression is common, not your fault, and treatable. A high score is a signal to get support—for yourself and your baby.
Related assessments
- PHQ-9 — General depression screening
- GAD-7 — Anxiety screening (often co-occurs with depression)
- DASS-21 — Combined depression, anxiety, and stress