Interview study, 1987
What causes sad feelings in the days after giving birth?
Feeling pessimistic during pregnancy that comes true after birth is the strongest predictor of maternity blues. Women with severe premenstrual tension, unplanned pregnancies, or who considered abortion early are also at higher risk.
What they did
Prospective study of 89 women followed from late pregnancy through the postpartum period. Researchers asked women about their expectations, feelings, and pregnancy history, then tracked whether they experienced maternity blues after birth.
What they found
Pessimism in late pregnancy that was confirmed by postpartum reality was the strongest predictor of maternity blues. A combination of severe premenstrual tension, unplanned pregnancy, and considering termination was associated with increased risk of blues. The hypothesized sense of disappointment or anti-climax did not predict blues, even though many women's experiences fell short of their expectations.
What it means for you
Mood problems after birth may be related more to what women expect during pregnancy than to the birth experience itself. Women with a history of premenstrual tension may be at higher risk. The main limitation is this is one small study from one place and time.
89
Women in study
About the study
- Original title
- The maternity blues: exploration of a psychological hypothesis
- Authors
- Condon JT, Watson TL
- Journal
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 89
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1987.tb02880.x
Topics
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