Cohort study, 2006
What increases the risk of depression in the first days after childbirth?
A history of mental illness, PMDD, and mood symptoms during late pregnancy all increase the risk of early postpartum depression, though only 6.8% of women developed symptoms.
What they did
1800 women in a hospital maternity ward were assessed in their first 3 days after childbirth using a questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Researchers looked for risk factors for early postpartum depression.
What they found
6.8% of 1,286 women (88 women) had depression scores indicating depression. Risk factors included a history of any mental illness, especially past postpartum depression, having PMDD, and having mood symptoms during the last 3 months of pregnancy.
What it means for you
Women with PMDD or a history of mental illness should be monitored closely after childbirth for mood problems. This was a single hospital study and findings may not apply to all settings. The study shows association but does not prove cause and effect.
1800
women assessed
6.8%
had early postpartum depression
88 of 1,286
with depression score of 10 or higher
About the study
- Original title
- Risk factors for early postpartum depressive symptoms
- Authors
- Bloch M, Rotenberg N, Koren D et al.
- Journal
- General hospital psychiatry
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 1,800
- What was tested
- None, observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2005.08.006
Topics
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