How have you really been feeling since your baby arrived?
This is the same questionnaire many consultatiebureaus, midwives and GPs use. Answering it here, in your own time and in English, can help you see where you are and find the words for your huisarts.
Choose the version that feels right for you:
This is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis. It can't replace a conversation with a health professional. If you are in danger right now, call 112.
Please reach out for support today
You shared that thoughts of harming yourself have come up. That can feel frightening to admit, and you did the right thing by answering honestly. You don't have to carry this alone, and help is available right now.
- 113 Suicide Prevention: call 113 or 0800-0113 (free), or chat at 113.nl. Open 24/7, in English too.
- Your huisarts: call today and say it is urgent.
- Huisartsenpost: evenings, nights and weekends.
- 112: if you are in immediate danger.
Your next step
- Book a double appointment (dubbele afspraak) with your huisarts and say it is about how you are feeling after the birth.
- Print or save this page and bring it with you. Your score gives you a starting point when words are hard to find.
- Ask about seeing the POH-GGZ, the mental health practitioner in your GP practice. It doesn't come out of your eigen risico.
This questionnaire is less reliable at picking up anxiety. If worry, racing thoughts or panic are what you feel most, please mention that to your huisarts too, whatever your score.
You don't have to work this out alone
My guide to postpartum mental health in the Netherlands walks you through the huisarts, the POH-GGZ, waiting lists and insurance, step by step.
If you would like to talk to someone who specialises in the perinatal period, birth trauma and neurodivergence, I offer perinatal counselling in English, online and in Eindhoven.
Standard version: Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M. and Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150, 782–786.
Adapted version: Moyer, S.W., Kinser, P.A., Nunziato, J.D., Holmes, C.M. and Salisbury, A.L. (2023). Development of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-United States: an updated perinatal mental health screening tool using a respectful care and trauma-informed approach. Journal of Women's Health. doi:10.1089/jwh.2023.0141. The adapted version is still being validated in larger studies.
The score bands used here are a general guide; your health professional may use different ones.