Clearing the Fog: How to Spot Misinformation About Postpartum Mental Health

May 23, 2025

Author: Jeni Green, PhD

Now more than ever, information is just a tap away. With smartphones in our hands around the clock, both accurate information—and misinformation—are constantly within reach. And with the rise of AI-generated content, it’s become even harder to separate fact from fiction. Sources can be manipulated, posts can look deceptively credible, and misinformation can spread faster than ever.

As a new parent, you’re likely navigating sleepless nights, adjusting to life with a newborn, and trying to make sense of the overwhelming advice coming at you from every direction. Some of it can be genuinely helpful. But a lot of it? Not so much. Inaccurate or misleading information can increase anxiety, create confusion, and even cause harm—especially when it comes to postpartum mental health.

Maybe you’ve found yourself caught in a 3 a.m. Google spiral, wondering what’s normal, what’s not, or how to soothe your crying baby. We’ve been there. Our goal is to help make those middle-of-the-night searches a little more helpful—and a lot more reassuring.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what misinformation is, how to recognize it, and why it matters so deeply for women’s health, particularly during the postpartum period.

Let’s start by defining misinformation.

What is Misinformation?

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information, regardless of intent. Disinformation on the other hand refers to the deliberate sharing of false information with an intention to mislead. Both kinds of content can be dangerous and spread like wildfire online, often because they tap into emotions like fear, guilt, or hope.

There are many different types of misinformation or disinformation such as:

False claims: Unproven remedies for postpartum depression (PPD), like “natural” hormone patches or detox teas
Misleading content: Oversimplified headlines that misrepresent study findings
Satire mistaken as truth: Joke articles that get shared as fact
Imposter content: Fake experts or fake health accounts using medical-sounding usernames
Fabricated content: “Statistics” with no real source
Propaganda: Emotionally charged content used to promote a biased belief, like shaming moms for seeking mental health care

How to Spot Misinformation and Disinformation

You don’t need a PhD to be a savvy consumer of information—just a few key habits can go a long way. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Check the source – s the information coming from a trusted medical or public health organization (.org, .gov, .edu), or is it from a personal blog or a site trying to sell you something?
Look for evidence – Are the claims backed by credible research or expert consensus, or are they just opinions?
Check the date – Is the information recent, or could it be outdated and no longer accurate?
Watch the tone – Does the content use fear-based, emotional, or sensational language? That’s often a red flag.
Cross-reference – Don’t rely on just one source. See if trusted organizations like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, or WHO provide similar guidance.

Be especially cautious when someone shares a “source” or citation that looks credible. Information can be taken out of context, misrepresented, or selectively quoted to support a misleading claim. It’s worth taking the time to actually check the original source and read it in full. It may take a little extra effort, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself—and others—from misinformation.

Misinformation in Postpartum and Women’s Health

Women’s health, especially mental health, has historically been misunderstood, overlooked, and under-researched. These long-standing gaps continue to shape how postpartum mental health is perceived and discussed today. As a result, many harmful myths still circulate. Maybe you have heard some of these:

“Postpartum depression means you don’t love your baby.”
“It’s just the baby blues—all new moms go through it.”
“If you’re breastfeeding, you can’t take medication for depression.”

These kinds of messages can create deep shame, delay treatment, and cause new mothers to suffer in silence. In some communities, cultural norms or stigma may make it even harder to seek help. And on social media, well-meaning influencers—often without medical or mental health training—can unintentionally spread inaccurate advice.

The result? A flood of conflicting information at a time when clarity, compassion, and support are most needed. Recognizing and challenging misinformation is one step toward protecting your well-being and reclaiming your postpartum experience.

What Can You Do?

In a world overflowing with content, it can be hard to know who or what to trust, especially when you're dealing with something as personal and emotional as postpartum mental health. The good news is, you don’t have to be a health professional to protect yourself from misinformation. A few small steps can make a big difference in how you process, share, and support others with the information you encounter.

Here are some practical tips:

Be curious, not reactive – When you come across a claim or story online, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: Where is this coming from? Is it reliable? Not everything that goes viral is true.
Use trusted health sources – Rely on evidence-based sites like the CDC, Mayo Clinic, Postpartum Support International, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) (see list below!)
Talk with your provider – If you’re unsure about something you’ve read or heard, bring it to your doctor, midwife, or therapist. They can help you sort through what’s accurate and what’s not.
Share responsibly – Before reposting or passing along information to a friend, double-check the facts. Even with good intentions, misinformation can spread easily.
Support others – If a friend is overwhelmed or confused, gently point them toward trusted resources or offer to help them find professional support.

How Can VillageFor Help?

We believe mental health support should be science-based, compassionate, and inclusive. That’s why the information in our app is grounded in research. Whether it’s Q&As with experts or curated resources, you can trust what you find here—and share it with confidence.

Navigating postpartum life is hard enough without misinformation adding to the noise. By understanding how to spot it and where to turn, you’re already advocating for your well-being—and that of other parents too.

Let’s lift each other up with truth, empathy, and facts.