Depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period can have far-reaching impacts on the child-bearing individual and their infant, as well as on parent-infant interactions and relationships with partners. 1 Consequences for the child-bearing individual include increased likelihood of future anxiety or depression, lower quality of life, increases in risky behaviours (e.g., tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption) and suicidal ideation. 1 Impacts on the infant could include delays in physical and mental development, such as cognitive and language de velopment, and overall infant health concerns. 1 Impacts on parent-infant interactions can include reduced breastfeeding and poor parent-infant bonding. 1,2 Diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder require patients to have at least 5 symptoms, including depressed mood or diminished interest in activities, and to be experiencing significant distress or functional impairment nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. 3 Symptoms may include significant weight or appetite change, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, reduced concentration or indecisiveness, and thoughts of death or suicidal ideation. 3 A 2005 systematic review estimated that the point prevalence of major depression during pregnancy and postpartum ranges from 1% to 6% at different time points (from the first trimester of pregnancy to 1 year postpartum), based on 2-6 studies at any given time point (n = 111 to 2104 participants). 4 A 2008 national survey from the United States of more than 14 000 participants aged 18-50 years reported that the 12-month period prevalence of depression was 8% among pregnant individuals and 9% in postpartum individuals, compared with 8% among nonpregnant individuals. 5