Baby Blues — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

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EasyPerinatal PsychiatryBaby BluesMRCPsych Paper B

A 28-year-old woman is reviewed 4 days after an uncomplicated delivery. Since day 3 she has been intermittently tearful, emotionally labile, irritable and anxious. Her sleep is disrupted, but she remains able to care for and bond with her baby. She has no pervasive anhedonia or hopelessness, suicidal ideation, confusion, delusions or hallucinations. Which perinatal condition is most likely?

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Correct answer: D — Baby blues

The correct answer is D, baby blues. The characteristic features are onset within the first few days after delivery, tearfulness, emotional lability, irritability and anxiety, with preserved ability to care for the baby and no severe functional impairment or psychotic symptoms. Baby blues is mild and transient and normally resolves within 2 weeks. Postnatal depression is more persistent and is associated with a depressive syndrome, such as pervasive low mood, anhedonia, hopelessness or impaired functioning. Postpartum psychosis usually involves rapidly developing mania, severe depression, confusion, delusions or hallucinations and is an emergency. Adjustment disorder is less characteristic given the typical timing and symptom pattern. Tokophobia is a severe fear of childbirth, usually presenting before delivery.

Reference: NHS, Postnatal depression, section 'If you're not sure it's postnatal depression', last reviewed 18 March 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/postnatal-depression/