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Maternal/Postnatal · 3 min · 10 questions

EPDS: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Ten questions about how you have felt in the past 7 days, during pregnancy or after birth. About 3 minutes.

Medical disclaimer: this is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Your answers are processed in your browser and are never sent or stored.

EPDS: 0 of 10 answeredScore: 0 / 30 · Low likelihood of depression

As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please choose the answer that comes closest to how you have felt in the past 7 days, not just how you feel today.

  1. 1.I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
  2. 2.I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
  3. 3.I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
  4. 4.I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
  5. 5.I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
  6. 6.Things have been getting on top of me
  7. 7.I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
  8. 8.I have felt sad or miserable
  9. 9.I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
  10. 10.The thought of harming myself has occurred to me

EPDS result

Answer all 10 questions for a complete result. Current partial score shown.

0
out of 30
Low likelihood of depression
Range 0–9

Your responses suggest a low likelihood of perinatal depression over the past week.

Recommended next steps

  • No specific action usually needed; keep your routine postnatal checks.
  • Rest, practical help and social contact protect perinatal mental health.
  • Repeat the EPDS if your mood changes.

Answer the remaining questions to enable the report:

  • EPDS:

Screening result only, not a diagnosis. Share it with a doctor or therapist.

EPDS scoring guide

ScoreInterpretationSuggested action
0–9Low likelihood of depressionNo specific action usually needed; keep your routine postnatal checks.
10–12Possible depressionTell your midwife, health visitor, GP or obstetric provider about this score.
13–30Probable depressionArrange an assessment with a healthcare professional soon.

Clinical background

What it measures

The EPDS was designed to detect depression during pregnancy and the year after birth. It deliberately avoids physical symptoms such as tiredness and sleep change that are common in the perinatal period, focusing instead on mood, anhedonia, guilt and anxiety.

Scoring notes

Items 1, 2 and 4 are scored 0–3 from top to bottom; items 3 and 5–10 are reverse-scored (3–0). Cut-offs of 10 (possible) and 13 (probable depression) are commonly used. Any positive answer to item 10 requires immediate follow-up regardless of total score (Cox et al., 1987).

Reference: Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987;150:782–786. May be copied freely provided the authors, title and source are cited.