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Baby blues — DRCOG MCQ

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EasyPostnatalBaby bluesDRCOG

A 27-year-old woman is tearful and emotionally labile on day 4 after birth. She is sleeping when the baby sleeps, has no thoughts of self-harm and is bonding with the baby. Her partner is supportive. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Baby blues

Transient tearfulness and mood lability around days 3 to 5 postpartum are typical of baby blues. Postpartum psychosis would involve delusions, hallucinations, severe insomnia or marked behavioural disturbance. Puerperal sepsis would feature fever, pain or systemic illness. Persistence beyond 2 weeks or functional impairment should prompt assessment for postnatal depression.

Reference: NICE CG192; NICE NG194