Survey study, 1989
Is a history of bad premenstrual tension linked to low mood after giving birth?
Yes. Women who reported having bad premenstrual tension in the past were more likely to have low mood scores in the days after giving birth.
What they did
106 women were interviewed by a psychiatrist at two points during pregnancy (weeks 14-16 and weeks 36-38) and again 12 weeks after giving birth. Every day for 10 days after giving birth, they filled out a questionnaire about their low mood (blues). Researchers looked at what was linked to higher blues scores.
What they found
Blues scores were linked to being naturally nervous, anxiety and depression during pregnancy, fear of labor, poor social adjustment, and having had bad premenstrual tension in the past. Blues scores were not linked to complications during pregnancy or delivery, previous psychiatric problems, or psychiatric status during pregnancy or 12 weeks after birth.
What it means for you
A history of bad premenstrual tension may be a sign that a woman is at higher risk for low mood after giving birth. The main limit is this is one study in one location.
106
women studied
10
days of low mood tracking after birth
About the study
- Original title
- Maternity blues. III. Associations with obstetric, psychological, and psychiatric factors
- Authors
- Kennerley H, Gath D
- Journal
- The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Survey study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1192/bjp.155.3.367
Topics
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