The short explanation
A lasting change like not eating and withdrawing for two months after a birth can be a sign of postnatal depression, which is common and treatable. Your concern is a good reason to help her see a doctor soon. Approaching her gently and without blame makes it easier for her to accept help. You might say you have noticed she seems very low and you would like to go with her to talk to a doctor.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Offer practical support: night feeds where possible, meals, taking the baby for a few hours so she can rest, and reducing visitors.
- Her gynaecologist, a family doctor or a psychiatrist can assess her. Tele-MANAS on 14416 can also guide you on services near you.
- Avoid telling her to snap out of it or comparing her with other mothers. Depression is an illness, not a lack of effort.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell what is causing her change or how serious it is. A clinician needs to talk with her directly.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be postnatal depression?
- What treatment is available, and how long might it take to work?
- How can I support her at home?
- What signs mean we should seek urgent help?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have thoughts of ending your life or of harming yourself or your baby and feel you might act on them, or if someone you love seems to be losing touch with reality. You can also call Tele-MANAS on 14416, a free government mental-health helpline that works day and night.
Get help the same day
- Get her seen the same day if she stops eating or drinking almost completely, cannot care for herself, or talks about feeling hopeless.
Book an appointment soon
- Book an appointment within a few days to talk about her mood.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Keep follow-up appointments and continue to check in with her regularly.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum depression MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Postnatal depression NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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