Evaluation of postpartum depression scores of elective and emergency cesarean section patients

Abstract

Aim: One of the factors affecting postpartum depression is anxiety during pregnancy. This study aims to provide early diagnosis of postpartum depression by investigating the impact of pre-operative anxiety of women, who had an elective or emergency cesarean, on postpartum depression. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 103 patients (51 elective, 52 emergency cesarean section cases). Before the surgery, the patients filled State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a form surveying the descriptive properties and obstetric histories. Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied 6 weeks after delivery. The impact of these results and the anxiety levels in the preoperative period on postoperative depression were analyzed. Results: The mean value of STAI-1 in the emergency and elective cesarean section groups were 41.31 and 43.61, respectively. Both groups had higher than average (>41) anxiety levels. The mean values of the STAI-2 were equal (48.35) and the anxiety level was above average. As per EPDS, the mean scores of the emergency and elective cesarean section groups were 6.98 and 5.31, respectively. The difference of postpartum rates between two groups was statistically significant (P=0.050). Postpartum depression was observed in 11.53% of the emergency group and 3.92% of the elective group. Conclusion: Both groups had high state and trait anxiety, however, the postpartum depression rate in emergency patients was higher. It is significant to provide psychological support to the patients with high pre-operative anxiety and early treatment to the ones with a higher tendency of depression in the postpartum period.