Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): A Screening Tool for Postpartum Depression

Kathy Morelli
Nov 6, 2017
2 min read

Updated: Feb 20

What Is the EPDS?

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. Approximately 15–20% of women experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum.

While “postpartum depression” (PPD) is the most widely used term, perinatal mood disorders include:

Postpartum depression (PPD)
Postpartum anxiety (PPA)
Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Bipolar disorder
Postpartum psychosis
Birth-related trauma responses

You can learn more about these categories through organizations such as Postpartum Support International.

Screening Matters

Routine screening for perinatal mood disorders is recommended by major medical organizations including:

The most widely used screening tool is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-10) — a 10-item questionnaire developed to identify women who may be experiencing postpartum depression.

The EPDS asks about:

Sleep disruption
Mood changes
Anxiety
Guilt
Fear
Thoughts of self-harm

It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test.

You can complete the EPDS through your healthcare provider or through reputable online platforms. If your score is elevated, it is important to follow up with a licensed healthcare professional.

The EPDS-3 (Abbreviated Version)

A shorter screening tool known as the EPDS-3, developed by Dr. Thomas Hale, uses three key questions to identify women who may need further evaluation.

The three items assess:

Self-blame
Anxiety or worry without clear cause
Feelings of panic or fear

A score greater than 3 indicates the need for further screening with the full EPDS-10.

The EPDS-3 is often used in busy pediatric, obstetric, or midwifery settings to establish a quick emotional baseline.

(Source: Hale, T. Postpartum Depression at a Glance, 2009)

If You Screen Positive

If your screening suggests possible depression or anxiety:

Contact your OB/GYN, midwife, primary care provider, or pediatrician
Reach out to a licensed mental health professional
Contact Postpartum Support International’s HelpLine for local and online support options

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek immediate emergency medical care.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Moving Forward

Screening is not about labeling you. It’s about creating clarity.

If your EPDS score suggests you may be experiencing a perinatal mood disorder, that does not mean you are weak or failing. It means your nervous system may be under strain during a major life transition.

Pain is part of becoming a parent.

Sustained suffering without support does not have to be.

When pain is met with support, information, and appropriate care, movement becomes possible. Healing becomes possible.

Please reach out to a qualified healthcare professional so you can move forward with steadiness and strength.