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Survey study, 2022

Does having PMS before pregnancy relate to postpartum depression and bonding with your baby?

Yes, mothers with higher PMS scores before pregnancy tended to have higher postpartum depression scores and more difficulties bonding with their infant.

Early or limited evidence 322 mothers

What they did

322 mothers completed three questionnaires in a one-time survey: one on their pre-pregnancy PMS history, one on postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and one on mother-infant bonding (Brockington Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire).

What they found

PMS scores (total and subscale) were positively correlated with postpartum depression scores and with bonding questionnaire scores. Postpartum depression scores were also positively correlated with bonding questionnaire scores.

What it means for you

The authors suggest that managing PMS before pregnancy could help lower the risk of postpartum depression and support healthier bonding with the baby. But since this is a correlation from a single survey, it cannot prove that PMS actually causes these later problems.

322

Mothers studied

About the study

Original title
Relationship of premenstrual syndrome with postpartum depression and mother-infant bonding
Authors
Yücesoy H, Erbi L N
Journal
Perspectives in psychiatric care
Year
2022
Study design
Survey study
Participants
322
What was tested
No intervention tested; this was an observational cross-sectional survey.

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