Mothers -- and even fathers -- can have scary thoughts about intentionally harming their baby, and those thoughts are considered normal as long as there is some accompanying feeling of guilt or embarrassment. If, for example, you have thoughts of smothering your baby but are distressed by the nature of those thoughts, there's no cause for concern. But again, if the thoughts begin to affect your ability to function, you should talk to your doctor. And if you have scary thoughts without any accompanying guilt or anxiety, you should seek immediate help because that may be a sign of more worrisome conditions, including postpartum psychosis.

There's no doubt that the weeks following your baby's birth can be particularly stressful. "A lot of what I hear from women in the postpartum period is that they're so overwhelmed -- there's just not enough time in the day; they can't make the time to take a shower or eat," says Ho. And in cases that Ho describes as having more "difficult circumstances," this feeling of being overwhelmed can have more debilitating consequences. "One of the challenges for someone who is suffering from postpartum depression is that they feel like they can't make decisions," says Ho. And we're not talking about huge lifestyle choices, like what -- if any -- religion to raise the child but basic, everyday decisions that can overwhelm and paralyze a new mom. "They feel like they can't even make a decision about what to put on the baby to wear -- or what to wear themselves," says Ho.

And since this inability to make simple decisions can impact a woman's ability to care for herself or her child, it's definitely something she should speak with a professional about.

While everyone else -- your hubby, your mother, your neighbor and even strangers -- may be cooing over your little one, you may find that you're feeling somewhat indifferent towards the baby you housed within your body for nine months. What gives? "When someone is depressed they can't see or experience what's around them -- and that is the same whether someone is depressed during the paranatal or non-paranatal period," explains Ho. "Women who are suffering from postpartum depression may find that they can't focus on the baby. They may feel apathy towards the baby. They don't get excited."

Ho stresses that it's particularly important for mothers to connect with their babies during the attachment period because data suggests it can help start a positive socialization process for the child. Without attachment, children "might have difficulty connecting to people or they might question connections," explains Ho. Again, speaking with a professional can help solve the problem before it negatively affects the baby.

New mothers can feel a lot of turmoil over their inability to bond with their babies -- as well as a host of other things they interpret as shortcomings as a new parent.

"Unfortunately, feelings of shame and guilt are things that women suffering from postpartum depression are all too familiar with," says Ho. "In fact, it's a very strong component -- they can feel guilty for not being interested in the baby but also for being more of a responsibility to their support systems."

Likewise, women suffering from postpartum depression are oftentimes plagued by feelings of inadequacy. Kleiman explains that it's common for them to feel like they've failed, to think that they shouldn't have had their baby, or even like their partners might leave them. Fueling the problem is the fact that many women, as Kleiman says, are notorious for saying they're fine when they're experiencing debilitating symptoms, because there's "so much shame and guilt that they don't necessarily want to ask or accept help."

But Kleiman urges women experiencing these symptoms or any of the indicators of postpartum depression to "take care of themselves and not let the shame and the stigma get in the way of doing what they need to do to feel good again" or to reach out for professional help.