Postpartum Depression Test
A confidential self-assessment using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the most widely used and validated screening for depression during pregnancy and after birth. In a few minutes you get an instant result and a plain-language PDF report you can keep or bring to your doctor or midwife. Becoming a parent is hard, and struggling does not make you a bad one.
What the EPDS actually captures
The EPDS was designed specifically for new and expecting parents. It focuses on the emotional signs of perinatal depression and deliberately leaves out things like tiredness and sleep changes, which are normal with a new baby and would otherwise muddy the result.
Ten emotional signs
Ten items cover the feelings that matter most after birth: enjoyment, hope, self-blame, worry, panic, feeling overwhelmed, sadness, tearfulness, and any thoughts of self-harm.
A validated score
Your answers sum to a single 0 to 30 score. A score of 10 or above suggests possible depression worth a closer look, and 13 or above suggests it is more likely, using the standard EPDS thresholds.
The past week
The EPDS asks how you have felt over the past seven days, so your result reflects how you have been recently, not one hard day or your whole pregnancy.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated EPDS questions | Sometimes | Yes, all 10, faithful wording |
| Built for new and expecting parents | No, generic | Yes, perinatal-specific |
| Standard EPDS cutoffs | Vague labels | Real thresholds (10 and 13) |
| Self-harm item handled with care | Often ignored | Crisis resources surfaced |
| Clinician-reviewed | Rarely | Yes, reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
This test uses the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), developed and validated by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky (1987). It is the most widely used screening for depression during pregnancy and after birth, recommended by clinicians and health systems worldwide. The EPDS has 10 items, each rated 0 to 3, for a total from 0 to 30. Several items are reverse-scored, so the engine accounts for the direction of each. We reproduce the items faithfully. A score of 10 to 12 suggests possible depression and a score of 13 or higher suggests probable depression; many clinicians use a threshold of 10 or higher to prompt a fuller conversation. The tenth item, which asks about thoughts of self-harm, matters regardless of the total score, so this test surfaces crisis resources prominently whenever it is endorsed.
This test is provided for education and self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis. The EPDS is a screening tool, and a higher score does not by itself confirm postpartum or perinatal depression. Only a licensed clinician can make that assessment, ideally by talking with you about your history and context. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common, treatable, and not your fault. If your result concerns you, please treat it as a reason to reach out to your doctor, midwife, or a therapist.
- Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150(6):782–786.
- Levis B, Negeri Z, Sun Y, Benedetti A, Thombs BD. Accuracy of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening to detect major depression among pregnant and postpartum women: systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020;371:m4022.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum. ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline. 2023.
Postpartum Depression Test FAQ
What is the EPDS postpartum depression test?
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a short, validated questionnaire that screens for depression during pregnancy and after birth. It asks about how you have felt over the past week, focusing on emotional signs rather than the tiredness and sleep changes that come with a new baby. It produces a screening score, not a diagnosis.
What score suggests postpartum depression?
On the EPDS, a total of 0 to 9 is in the low range, 10 to 12 suggests possible depression worth following up, and 13 or higher suggests probable depression. Many clinicians use a score of 10 or more as the point to start a fuller conversation. Any score with thoughts of self-harm should be acted on right away, whatever the total.
Is feeling down after birth normal?
Many new parents get the baby blues in the first couple of weeks, with tearfulness and mood swings that pass on their own. Postpartum depression is more intense, lasts longer, and interferes with daily life and bonding. It is common, it is not a weakness or a failure, and it responds very well to treatment.
What if I have thoughts of harming myself?
Please take those thoughts seriously and reach out for help now. In the US you can call or text 988 any time to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and the Postpartum Support International helpline is 1-800-944-4773. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. You and your baby deserve support, and help is available right away.
Can postpartum depression get better?
Yes, very much so. Postpartum and perinatal depression are highly treatable with therapy, support, and sometimes medication, including options compatible with breastfeeding. Most parents who get help recover fully. Reaching out is often the hardest and most important step, and it does not mean you are failing your child.