Evaluation of the Relationship between Stress Level During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression as the Pandemic Ends

Abstract

Pregnancy is a life process that progresses with biological, physiological, and psychosocial changes. Especially the challenging factors during the pandemic caused pregnant women to experience more stress than expected. Postpartum depression is one of the important mental health problems that follow giving birth. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between postpartum depression and stress levels during the pregnancy, in a period in which the effects of the pandemic decreased. Our study was conducted on 102 persons with a mean age of 25.8±4.5. The data collection process was carried out using a survey under the supervision of the researchers. The survey consisted of two-stages. In the first stage, the sociodemographic characteristics of the people were questioned, and the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale (PSAS) was applied. In the second stage, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied. PSAS mean score was 97.0±23.7 and SPDS mean score was 8.07±5.55. Pregnant women who have chronic diseases had a higher stress level (p=0.011). EPDS mean score was significantly higher in the group whose pregnancy ended in abortion (p=0.001). The pandemic has been a source of great concern for women in the postpartum period. However, we think these worries must have been decreased with the normalization process. In our study, no relationship was found between postpartum depression and stress level of pregnancy. It was observed that the postpartum psychological state was mostly affected by the postnatal health conditions of the mother and the baby. Closely monitoring the mother's mental health after birth and supporting the mother from medical personnel will help the mother to protect her mental health.