Incidence of depression in pregnant and postpartum women in tertiary care hospital using Edinburg postpartum depression scale: A prospective observational clinical study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Depression is a mood disorder characterized by physical symptoms like fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances, and/or a persistently low mood. Antenatal depression refers to a nonpsychotic depressive condition that starts during pregnancy. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, emerges within a month after childbirth and can persist for up to 1 year. The objective of this study is to determine the occurrence of depression among women during both the antenatal and postnatal periods by utilizing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Materials and Methods: From 1 August 2022 to 1 September 2023, 246 women responded to the EPDS questionnaire during and after childbirth. Valid consent was obtained from all participating subjects before the study’s commencement. Results: The study revealed that depressive disorders affected 23.2% of women during the antenatal period and 20.3% during the postnatal phase. A higher prevalence of depression was observed among multiparous women (53.7%) and those aged between 25 and 34 years (64.2%). Additionally, significant associations between depression and risk factors like cesarean delivery (54.1%) were identified. Conclusion: Both the postpartum period and pregnancy pose increased risks for the onset of various psychiatric disorders. This research assisted in screening, classifying, and identifying high-risk individuals and providing guidance and support to those requiring additional assistance and counseling. Therefore, regular EPDS screening can potentially enhance maternal and child health outcomes.