Feeling low, anxious or not like yourself during pregnancy or after having a baby is common, and it is treatable. This check uses the PHQ-9, one of the depression questionnaires recommended for pregnancy and the postpartum period by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It can be used during pregnancy and in the first year after birth, and fathers and partners can take it too: new dads get postnatal depression as well. Sleep and energy questions can be affected by a newborn, so answer as honestly as you can, and talk to your doctor or midwife about your result.
- One question per screen. Tap an answer to move on (or use the number keys on a keyboard).
- Your score, what it means, and the next step, straight away.
- Your answers stay on your device. Nothing is saved or sent.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call your local emergency number now. Helplines are listed below the test.
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How this test is scored
Same official PHQ-9 scoring: each of the 9 questions is scored 0 to 3, for a total of 0 to 27. Bands: 0 to 4 minimal, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, 15 to 19 moderately severe, 20 to 27 severe. A score of 10 or more is the usual cut-off for further assessment. Any answer above "Not at all" on question 9 shows urgent help information.
About this check
This check uses the PHQ-9, a nine-question depression questionnaire developed by Drs. Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer and Janet Williams. It was validated with 6,000 patients, including in seven obstetrics-gynaecology clinics (Kroenke et al., 2001). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' 2023 guideline on screening for mental health conditions during pregnancy and after birth lists the PHQ-9 among the tools for assessing perinatal mental health (ACOG, 2023).
How to read your result
After a baby, some questions are tricky. Broken sleep and tiredness are normal with a newborn, so pay most attention to mood, interest, guilt, hopelessness and how you see yourself. A higher score means depression symptoms may be present and are worth discussing with your doctor, midwife or lady health worker. Feeling low after birth is not a sign of being a bad mother or father, and it is not "nazar". It is common, and it is treatable.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
When to talk to a professional
Talk to a doctor or psychologist if your score is 10 or more, if low mood has lasted two weeks or more, or if you feel unable to cope. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, get urgent help straight away using the help section on this page. Pressure from in-laws and family can add to the load. How to set boundaries with family without guilt may help.
Source
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613. The PHQ-9 is listed among validated perinatal depression screening tools in: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum. Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141(6):1232-1261. Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute. (The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is not used here because its publisher, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, requires written permission for online republication.)
- Pakistan: Umang mental health helpline 0311 7786264 (emergency: police 15, Rescue 1122)
- Saudi Arabia: emergency 911; counselling line 920033360 (8am–8pm, Saturday 1pm–8pm; not 24 hours)
- India: Tele-MANAS 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 (emergency 112)
- Bangladesh: Kaan Pete Roi +880 9612-119911 (3pm to 3am daily)
- United States: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988 (24/7)
- Canada: 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, call or text 988 (24/7)
- UK and Ireland: Samaritans 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- European Union: emergency number 112
- Anywhere else: call your local emergency number, or find a free helpline at findahelpline.com.
Common questions from new mothers
Is it the baby blues or postpartum depression?
Feeling low, teary, anxious or irritable in the first days after birth is very common. This is often called the baby blues, and it usually settles on its own within a few days to two weeks. If the feelings last longer than two weeks, get worse, or make it hard to look after yourself or your baby, it may be postpartum (postnatal) depression, which can start any time in the first year after birth. (NHS, ACOG)
When should I get help?
Speak to your doctor, midwife or lady health worker if you think you might have postpartum depression, even if you only have some of the signs, and do not wait for your next check-up. Get urgent help straight away if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby; the helplines are listed in the help box above. This test is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, so share your result with a professional. (NHS, ACOG)
Can fathers get postpartum depression?
Yes. Fathers and partners can also become depressed after a baby arrives. New dads can take this same test, and the same advice applies: if low mood lasts or you are struggling to cope, talk to a doctor. (NHS)
Sources checked 22 October 2026: NHS (page last reviewed 18 March 2026) and ACOG (last reviewed December 2025).