She had planned everything perfectly. The nursery was ready six weeks before the due date. She had read every book, watched every YouTube video, taken the prenatal classes. And when her daughter finally arrived healthy, perfect, screaming she waited to feel the flood of joy everyone had promised her.
It didn't come. Instead, three weeks later, she was sitting in her car in the Dubai Healthcare City parking structure at 2am, unable to go back upstairs to her apartment, unable to stop crying, not entirely sure she wanted to exist anymore. She was thirty-one years old, had a loving husband, a beautiful baby, a comfortable life. And she felt completely, terrifyingly hollow.
She thought something was fundamentally wrong with her as a person. What she actually had was postpartum depression and she was far from alone.
A composite of patient experiences shared with Chughtai Clinic. Details changed to protect privacy.
Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers, begin within 2–3 days of birth, and resolve within 2 weeks. Postpartum depression (PPD) is more severe, lasts longer than 2 weeks, and needs professional treatment. Postpartum psychosis is rare but a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate care. If you are struggling after 2 weeks, or at any point feel unable to cope, contact Chughtai Clinic Dubai: +971 52 619 8738
Nobody tells you that becoming a mother in Dubai can be one of the loneliest experiences imaginable. You are in a city of three million people, your family is a four-hour flight away, your husband is back at work after three days because the world does not pause, and you are sitting with a tiny human who depends entirely on you while wondering why you feel nothing like the glowing, grateful woman you were supposed to become.
Postpartum depression is not weakness. It is not ingratitude. It is not failure. It is a medical condition as real as a broken bone, as physiological as a thyroid disorder that affects approximately one in five new mothers in Dubai. And because of the particular pressures of life in the UAE, it often goes unrecognised, untreated, and silently survived for months or years longer than it should.
This guide is written by Dr. Shabana Muzaffar, Consultant OB-GYN, and Dr. Balu Pitchiah, Consultant Psychiatrist, at Chughtai Clinic Dubai Healthcare City. Together as a gynaecologist and a psychiatrist working side by side they offer something unusual in Dubai's healthcare landscape: a truly integrated approach to postpartum mental health that understands both the body and the mind of a new mother.
The first and most important question every new mother asks: "Is what I'm feeling normal?" The honest answer is: it depends on what you are feeling, how intensely, and for how long. Here is the framework that Dr. Shabana and Dr. Balu use with every new mother who comes through Chughtai Clinic.
Postpartum depression does not always start immediately after birth. It can begin at any point during the first year some mothers develop it at 3 months, 6 months, or even when they stop breastfeeding and hormones shift again. If you had a baby in the last 12 months and are not feeling right, PPD is still on the table.
PPD does not always look like sadness. In fact, many mothers with postpartum depression describe feeling nothing at all a numbness, a flatness, a sense of watching their own life from behind glass. Others describe rage sudden, frightening anger at their baby, their partner, themselves that leaves them feeling like a monster rather than a patient who needs care.
If 5 or more of these symptoms have been present most days for 2+ weeks, please seek a professional assessment. These symptoms are treatable. You are not a bad mother. You are unwell.
Intrusive thoughts about harming your baby vivid mental images that horrify you are experienced by many mothers with PPD. They do not mean you will act on them. They do not mean you are dangerous. They are a symptom of anxiety and PPD, and they are treatable. But please tell your doctor about them. You will not have your baby taken away for being honest about your thoughts. Honesty is how you get well.
Postpartum depression happens everywhere in the world. But Dubai creates conditions that make it uniquely difficult to recognise, admit, and recover from. Dr. Balu Pitchiah and Dr. Shabana Muzaffar see this reality every week in their consultations the specific emotional landscape of new motherhood in the UAE.
What nobody puts on the pregnancy app
For most expat mothers, the support system that would normally exist parents, siblings, extended family is a flight away. The village that should help raise a child simply does not exist in Dubai for most women.
UAE paternity leave is among the shortest in the world. Most fathers are back at demanding jobs within days of birth leaving mothers alone in apartments with newborns, often in a city where they have lived for less than two years.
For many expatriate mothers, their visa is tied to their husband's employment. Financial pressure, job insecurity, and the fear of what happens if things go wrong amplify postpartum anxiety in ways that do not exist back home.
Dubai Instagram culture creates intense pressure to be the glowing, organised, grateful new mother. Admitting you are struggling feels like failing which is precisely why so many mothers stay silent for so long.
For many South Asian, Arab, and Filipino mothers in Dubai, depression is not spoken about. It is weakness. It is shameful. It is something to be endured, not treated. This cultural silence is one of the most significant barriers to care.
Dubai's summers mean new mothers are frequently confined indoors for weeks at a time. No morning walks, no park trips, no spontaneous social contact. Isolation already a major PPD risk factor becomes structural.
She was from Lahore. Her husband was kind, worked hard, was home by 8pm most nights. But she had no one to call at 4am when the baby wouldn't stop crying and she couldn't remember the last time she slept more than ninety minutes. Her mother was in Pakistan. Her friends were WhatsApp contacts. She kept saying "I'm fine" in every message because she genuinely wasn't sure if what she was feeling was depression or just the reality of being a new mother. Nobody had told her there was a difference.
Shared with permission. Details changed.
If you have been diagnosed with PCOS and are now pregnant or have recently given birth, there is something important you need to know and that most doctors do not tell you at the antenatal appointment.
Research consistently shows that women with PCOS are more likely to experience postpartum depression. The reasons are multiple and interconnected: the hormonal instability underlying PCOS does not simply resolve with pregnancy; insulin resistance present in 70% of PCOS cases affects brain chemistry and mood regulation; and the chronic low-grade inflammation characteristic of PCOS persists through pregnancy and the postpartum period. Women with PCOS who have a history of depression or anxiety before pregnancy are at particularly elevated risk. See our complete guide to PCOS in Dubai and discuss your postpartum monitoring plan with Dr. Shabana Muzaffar at your next appointment.
This is one of the reasons the combined care model at Chughtai Clinic where Dr. Shabana Muzaffar and Dr. Balu Pitchiah work together is particularly valuable for women with PCOS. The gynaecology and psychiatry teams communicate directly, and women with PCOS are flagged for enhanced postpartum mental health monitoring as standard.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is the most widely used, validated screening tool for postpartum depression in the world. It is used by obstetricians and psychiatrists in Dubai, the UK, the US, and Australia. It takes less than 3 minutes. It is not a diagnosis only a clinician can diagnose PPD but it gives you and your doctor a clear starting point.
Answer honestly. Nobody else will see your score unless you choose to share it.
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things.
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason.
6. Things have been getting on top of me.
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.
8. I have felt sad or miserable.
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.
Postpartum psychosis is rare it affects approximately 1 to 2 in every 1,000 mothers. But it is a psychiatric emergency, and it requires immediate medical attention. It is not PPD. It is not baby blues. It is a sudden, dramatic break with reality that typically appears within the first two weeks after birth.
Hearing or seeing things that are not there. Beliefs that are clearly not real that the baby has been replaced, that someone is coming to take them, that a spiritual mission must be completed. Not sleeping for days. Extreme rapid mood swings euphoric then terrified within minutes. Saying or doing things that make no sense. Severely confused and disoriented. Do not wait for morning. Go to the nearest emergency department or call for help immediately.
Postpartum psychosis is treatable the majority of women make a full recovery with appropriate inpatient psychiatric care. But the window for intervention matters. If you are a partner, family member, or friend and you are seeing these signs in a new mother, please act immediately. This is not an overreaction. This is a medical emergency.
This is the question Dr. Balu Pitchiah hears more than almost any other from mothers with postpartum depression. Many women delay or refuse treatment entirely because they are afraid of harming their baby through breast milk. The fear is understandable. The decision is also more nuanced and more hopeful than most women realise.
Untreated postpartum depression carries its own serious risks to your baby impaired bonding, developmental effects from stress exposure, reduced responsiveness. The question is never "medication vs. no risk." It is "which carries less risk: treating your PPD, or leaving it untreated?" For most mothers with moderate to severe PPD, treatment including medication reduces overall risk to both mother and baby.
| Medication | Breastfeeding Safety | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sertraline (Zoloft) | First Choice Very Safe | Extensively studied minimal breast milk transfer | Most commonly recommended SSRI for breastfeeding mothers |
| Paroxetine (Paxil) | First Choice Very Safe | Very low transfer to breast milk | Good option do not stop suddenly |
| Nortriptyline | Generally Safe | Low levels in breast milk | Tricyclic antidepressant used when SSRIs not suitable |
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | Use With Caution | Higher milk transfer than sertraline | Active metabolite accumulates not first choice in newborns |
| Venlafaxine (Effexor) | Use With Caution | Moderate transfer monitor baby | Sometimes used when SSRIs insufficient |
| Benzodiazepines | Avoid if Possible | Transfer to milk sedation risk | Occasional short-term use only never without psychiatrist guidance |
Every decision about medication during breastfeeding is made individually. There is no single correct answer for every mother. What matters is a thorough, honest conversation about your symptoms, your baby's age and health, your feeding intentions, and your personal values with a psychiatrist who takes the time to go through all of this with you rather than simply writing a prescription or refusing to engage with the question.
What makes care at Chughtai Clinic Dubai Healthcare City genuinely different for postpartum depression is not a single technology or a single treatment it is the fact that Dr. Shabana Muzaffar and Dr. Balu Pitchiah work together. A new mother does not have to choose between her OB-GYN and a psychiatrist. She does not have to explain her story twice to two different doctors who have never spoken to each other. The two teams communicate directly, and the care is coordinated.
You call or WhatsApp +971 52 619 8738 and say "I think I have postpartum depression" or simply "I'm not coping and I had a baby recently." That is enough. No lengthy explanation required. Same-day appointments are available for mothers with PPD. You will be seen.
Depending on your situation, you will see Dr. Shabana Muzaffar, Dr. Balu Pitchiah, or both in the same visit. The assessment includes a full clinical history, Edinburgh Scale review, physical health check including thyroid function and vitamin D (both commonly implicated in postnatal mood disorders), and an honest conversation about how you are actually feeling. If you are unsure whether you need a psychiatrist or a psychologist, our guide to psychiatrist vs psychologist in Dubai explains the difference clearly.
Your plan may include therapy (CBT the gold standard for PPD), medication tailored to whether you are breastfeeding, sleep support strategies, social support recommendations, and follow-up scheduling. The plan is yours built around your life, your baby, your circumstances in Dubai.
Recovery from postpartum depression is not linear. There will be better weeks and harder ones. Dr. Balu follows up proactively, and telehealth appointments are available so that a difficult day does not require an hour of logistics to get support. You will not be left alone with a prescription and a date six weeks away.
Sources: NICE Guidelines Postnatal Mental Health 2025, Cochrane Review of CBT for PPD, ACOG Practice Bulletin on PPD. Recovery rates refer to significant clinical improvement within 12 weeks of treatment initiation.
Postpartum depression affects the whole family. Partners, parents, in-laws, siblings everyone in the orbit of a new mother has a role to play. But most people, with the best intentions, say and do exactly the wrong things. Note that PPD can also develop alongside or be confused with burnout if you want to understand the difference, our guide on burnout vs depression in Dubai is helpful context.
| Instead of saying this... | Say or do this |
|---|---|
| "You should be grateful you have a healthy baby" | "I can see you're struggling. I'm here. Tell me what you need." |
| "Every new mother feels this way it will pass" | "How long have you been feeling like this? I'm worried about you." |
| "Are you sure you're not just tired?" | Book the appointment yourself. Drive her there. Sit in the waiting room. |
| "You don't need medication just get some rest" | "Let's talk to a doctor together. I'll come with you." |
| "I don't understand why you're not happy" | Take the night shift. Cook the meal. Give her three hours of uninterrupted sleep. |
| Asking her to explain her feelings in detail repeatedly | Be present. You do not need to understand it to support it. |
| Telling her family back home about it without her consent | Ask her what she wants. Her privacy matters. |
Postpartum depression is not about you. It is not because she does not love you or the baby. It is not because you have done something wrong or not enough. It is a medical condition driven by hormonal, neurological, and situational factors that exist entirely independent of your relationship. The most powerful thing you can do is not fix it it is to be present, consistent, and willing to sit in the discomfort of not being able to make it better while still showing up every day.
If something feels wrong even if you cannot name it exactly that is enough reason to call. Dr. Shabana and Dr. Balu are here. Same-day appointments available. Insurance accepted. Telehealth available if leaving home feels impossible right now.
Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers, begin within 2–3 days of birth, and resolve on their own within 2 weeks. They involve mild tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed but you can still function and bond with your baby. Postpartum depression is a clinical condition that lasts longer than 2 weeks, is more severe, significantly impairs your ability to function, and requires professional assessment and treatment. If you are still struggling after 2 weeks, or if your symptoms are severe at any point, please reach out to Chughtai Clinic Dubai.
Yes several antidepressants are considered safe during breastfeeding, particularly sertraline and paroxetine, which have low transfer into breast milk and are the most studied options for breastfeeding mothers. The decision is always made individually by Dr. Balu Pitchiah based on your specific circumstances. Critically, untreated PPD carries its own risks to your baby including impaired bonding and developmental effects. The question is not medication versus no risk. It is which path carries less overall risk for you and your baby together.
Studies suggest 15–20% of new mothers in Dubai experience PPD slightly higher than the global average of 1 in 7. For expatriate mothers specifically, rates are likely higher due to absent family support networks, social isolation, visa-related financial stress, cultural pressure to appear to be coping, and Dubai's extreme summer heat that confines new mothers indoors. Many expat mothers go undiagnosed for months because they attribute their feelings to "just being far from home" rather than recognising a treatable medical condition.
Yes. PPD can begin at any point in the first 12 months after birth. Some mothers feel fine in the early weeks and develop PPD at 3 or 6 months. Others experience an onset when they stop breastfeeding and hormones shift significantly again. The clinical definition of postpartum depression includes onset within one year of birth so if you had a baby in the last year and are struggling, PPD is still a valid consideration regardless of when after birth your symptoms began.
Yes research consistently shows that women with PCOS have a significantly higher risk of postpartum depression due to underlying hormonal instability, insulin resistance affecting brain chemistry, and chronic inflammation. Women with PCOS at Chughtai Clinic Dubai receive enhanced postpartum mental health monitoring as standard. See our complete guide to PCOS in Dubai and our psychiatry services for more.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric emergency affecting approximately 1–2 in 1,000 mothers. Unlike PPD, it involves hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, rapid mood swings between mania and severe depression, and dramatically disorganised behaviour. It typically begins within the first 2 weeks after birth. It is not PPD it is a distinct psychiatric emergency requiring immediate hospital-level care. If you or someone you know is showing these signs after having a baby, go to the emergency department now. Postpartum psychosis is highly treatable with appropriate care and most women make a full recovery.
An initial psychiatric consultation at Chughtai Clinic costs AED 400–700. CBT therapy sessions are AED 350–600 per session. Most UAE health insurance plans cover postpartum depression treatment as a psychiatric specialty condition including Daman Enhanced, AXA, Cigna, and most corporate plans. Call +971 52 619 8738 before your appointment and the team will confirm your insurance coverage directly so there are no surprises. Telehealth appointments are also available for follow-up sessions, which is helpful when travelling to DHCC with a newborn is difficult.
No. Intrusive thoughts about harming your baby distressing mental images you do not want and that horrify you are a known symptom of postpartum anxiety and PPD. They are far more common than most mothers realise, and they do not mean you are dangerous, a bad person, or that your baby is at risk. They are a symptom of a treatable medical condition. You will not have your baby taken away for being honest with your doctor. In fact, disclosing these thoughts is one of the most important things you can do to get the right treatment. Dr. Balu Pitchiah and Dr. Shabana Muzaffar provide a non-judgmental, confidential space where you can say exactly what you are experiencing.
Untreated postpartum depression can affect the mother-baby bond and, over time, infant development including language development, emotional regulation, and stress response systems. This is not because mothers with PPD do not love their babies. It is because PPD impairs the responsiveness and attunement that are so important in the early months. This is one of the most important reasons to treat PPD promptly not just for the mother, but for the baby. Treatment, particularly CBT, specifically addresses bonding and parenting confidence alongside mood symptoms.
Chughtai Clinic, Building 47, Dubai Healthcare City offers integrated postpartum mental health care from Dr. Shabana Muzaffar (OB-GYN) and Dr. Balu Pitchiah (Psychiatrist) working together. Same-day appointments are available. Telehealth is available for follow-ups. Insurance is accepted. Book via WhatsApp: +971 52 619 8738 or at chughtaiclinic.ae/appointment.
If you are reading this at 3am with a baby on your chest, crying in a way you cannot explain to a city that cannot quite see you we want you to know something.
What you are feeling is not a reflection of how much you love your baby. It is not a character flaw. It is not what you deserve for the choices you have made. It is an illness as involuntary as breaking a bone, as physiological as diabetes and it is treatable.
The bravest thing a mother in Dubai can do is not pretend to be fine. It is to pick up the phone, say "I'm not okay," and let someone help.
We are here. Dr. Shabana and Dr. Balu at Chughtai Clinic Dubai Healthcare City same-day appointments, no judgment, insurance accepted. Call or WhatsApp: +971 52 619 8738
Dr. Shabana Muzaffar OB-GYN · Dr. Balu Pitchiah Psychiatrist
Chughtai Clinic, Building 47, Dubai Healthcare City · Insurance Accepted · Telehealth Available