Not every woman suffers from postpartum depression after giving birth. What 80 percent of new mothers do experience are the "baby blues," says the Child Center and Adult Services, a mental health counseling organization in Gaithersburg. Symptoms can include a feeling of letdown, crying for no apparent reason, irritability, restlessness, impatience and anxiety.

However, when these behaviors hang on for more than two weeks, when they seem to transform into even more intense hopelessness, loneliness, panic, or guilt, it's possible that mom could be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Other symptoms include an inability to sleep, loss of appetite, anger, loss of self-esteem and inexplicable crying jags.

Especially for moms who are giving birth in the cold and darkest months of winter, being cooped up with a newborn can also lead to the development of PPD. This isolation, combined with the stress of new motherhood – and, of course, the inevitable hormonal changes that take place after giving birth – can make this new role in life seem insurmountable.

According to the Child Center and Adult Services, 10 to 20 percent of new moms become depressed. It's important to realize, they advise, that PPD doesn't always strike immediately – it can happen within three months after birth.

A woman is at higher risk of developing PPD if she has a previous history of depression and other mood disorders, the mental health organization reports. Awareness is often the biggest part of the solution to PPD; enlist the help of others. Having a supportive partner, family, and friends who can recognize depression symptoms and encourage an immediate visit to a mental health specialist will help moms get the care they need.

"PPD can often be avoided by putting together a wellness plan before the baby comes," says Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author of Postpartum Depression for Dummies and Pregnant on Prozac. Prepare for the possibility of PPD by connecting with a doctor who has experience with postpartum illness and discuss your expectations with your partner, who's going to handle daily and nightly tasks, and determine how mom is going to get the proper sleep, exercise, nutrition, and emotional support.

Facing expectations that you're supposed to be joyous as a new mom can make it difficult to admit that you're not feeling quite right. Baby's health is directly affected by the health of mom. Pediatricians recommend natural options to try and combat depression – light therapy, a diet high in DHA – but sometimes medication is necessary. "Experts in the field agree that if a woman truly needs an antidepressant to be well, she can still breastfeed if she chooses," says Bennett.

Ultimately, it's important to know that PPD is possible, that no one is immune to it – and that it is 100 percent treatable. Motherhood is inherently challenging – it's the toughest job in the world – but it shouldn't be permanently painful, sad, or overwhelming. To read about one woman's struggle and triumph over her own severe PPD, check out It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita, by Heather Armstrong.