EPDS Screening
Postpartum depression test
This is the EPDS — the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the screen used worldwide during pregnancy and after birth. It asks how you have felt over the past seven days, not just today. It works the same whether you gave birth recently or are still expecting, and your answers never leave this device.
In the past 7 days:
EPDS Your result
Your EPDS score
0 / 30
What this means
Sensible next steps
Read what the numbers mean in the EPDS scoring guide. Curious how reliable it is? See how accurate the EPDS is.
By the numbers Context
How common is postpartum depression?
Having a baby is one of life’s biggest upheavals, and low mood in the weeks that follow is common. The short-lived "baby blues" affect most new mothers and pass within a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression is different — deeper, longer, and more disruptive — and it is far more common than many people realise: around 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, and it can begin during pregnancy or any time in the first year after birth.
The EPDS was designed specifically for this period. It deliberately focuses on mood rather than physical symptoms like fatigue or disrupted sleep, which are near-universal for new parents and would otherwise inflate the score. It is validated for use both antenatally (during pregnancy) and postnatally. A raised score is a signal to talk to your doctor, midwife, or health visitor — postpartum depression is common, treatable, and not your fault.
1 in 8
new mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression
CDC
~50%
of postpartum depression cases may go unrecognised
Research
≈0.86
sensitivity of the EPDS at the standard cutoff
Cox, 1987
Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Cox, Holden & Sagovsky, British Journal of Psychiatry, 1987; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Score guide Interpretation
What your EPDS score means
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0–9 | Lower-likelihood range |
| 10–12 | Possible depression range |
| 13–30 | Probable depression range |
For what to do at each level, see the full EPDS scoring guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of postpartum depression?
Signs include a persistent low or empty mood, tearfulness, loss of interest or pleasure, intense anxiety or panic, feeling unable to cope, difficulty bonding with your baby, guilt or feelings of being a bad parent, and in serious cases thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. They last longer and cut deeper than the short-lived "baby blues".
How is postpartum depression different from the baby blues?
The baby blues — mood swings, tearfulness, and overwhelm — affect most new mothers, start within days of birth, and pass on their own within about two weeks. Postpartum depression is more intense, lasts longer, and interferes with daily life and caring for your baby. If low mood persists beyond two weeks, it is worth screening.
When does postpartum depression start?
It can begin during pregnancy or any time in the first year after birth, though it most often appears within the first few weeks to months. Because it can start antenatally, the EPDS is validated for use during pregnancy as well as after.
Can the EPDS be used during pregnancy?
Yes. Although it is best known as a postnatal screen, the Edinburgh scale is validated for use during pregnancy too, which is why many clinicians screen at antenatal visits as well as after birth.
Can fathers or partners get postpartum depression?
Yes. Around 1 in 10 new fathers experience depression in the first year, and non-birthing partners can be affected too. The EPDS has been used to screen partners, though it was designed and validated primarily for mothers.
Is the postpartum depression test a diagnosis?
No. The EPDS is a screening tool: a raised score means a fuller conversation with a professional is worthwhile, not that you are diagnosed. Only a clinician can diagnose postpartum depression.