There are a few tests for spotting postpartum depression. The most widely used one is called the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, or EPDS for short.
This test has 10 questions that ask about your feelings and behavior. You answer based on how you have felt in the past seven days.1
The highest score you can get is 30. The higher your score, the more likely it is that you have postpartum depression. You may be sent to your doctor if your score is higher than 9.
This test is designed for screening. That means it can help to pick out women who are likely to have postpartum depression. The test is not designed for diagnosis. That means it can't tell for sure if you have postpartum depression. Only a doctor can do that.
![]() |
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |












