A new study has stated that even fathers suffer from depression after the couple has a child and it is not only the mothers who have baby blues.

The research states that one bout of depression is suffered by 21 per cent of fathers by the time their first child turn 12.

These findings have made way for the NHS to check the mental state of fathers too along with the mothers to be.

The new study reveals that on out of five fathers suffer from depression within the first year of their child.

About 87, 000 families were looked at by researchers for their study while these families received medical care between 1993 and 2007. Those who were diagnosed with depression and were on antidepressants were identified.

About three per cent of fathers were found to have depression within a year of having their first child. By the time the child was four this rose to 10 per cent and it went to 16 per cent by eight and 21 per cent by 12.

This is due to the responsibility that comes along with a child.