Having a baby is usually one of the happiest times in a woman's life, but for some women, it can include times of sadness and depression.

Life with a new baby can be thrilling and rewarding, but it can also be hard and stressful for some mothers. Many physical and emotional changes happen to women during pregnancy and childbirth, which can cause sadness and depression says Dr. Karen Broquet, associate professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

SOUND BITE: "There are tremendous hormonal and biological changes that take place after a woman gives birth. Ah huge changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in her body. Changes in other hormones called prolactin, thyroid hormone and some of the cortisol type hormones from the adrenal gland."

Postpartum depression affects approximately 10 to 15 percent of new mothers. It often causes anxiety and obsession about caring for the baby or the cleanliness of the home. It may cause changes in sleep patterns and affect relationships including the ability to form a bond with the baby and other family members. Some mothers with postpartnum depression have thoughts of wanting to die or of hurting the baby. If the symptoms are so severe that they keep the mother from being able to function, medical treatment is necessary. Dr. Broquet offers suggestions for new mothers who are having difficulty coping.

SOUND BITE: " . . . one of the most important things is to look at is the amount of support you have in your life. And that is either emotional support or help with physical things. Sometimes just the level of physical exhaustion and the lack of sleep, if you are a single parent, make depression ten times worse. So anything that can help get your sleep cycle regulated and get some emotional and physical support in your life is a huge one."

Dr. Broquet says it's important for new mothers to have realistic expectations of what they can do and not try to be supermom. If a new mother's sadness or depression does not subside within a few weeks, she should see a physician or mental health counselor.