Psychosocial determinants of postpartum depression

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the severity of postpartum depression for maternity cases in the first week after childbirth, and to establish the impact of the psychosocial factors on the occurrence of postnatal depression. Background. The study involved 285 women, who gave birth at the University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz. Methods. The study used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), original questionnaire and medical records. Results. In the first week after the birth, 66 parturients received score ≥12 points on the EPDS, which is 23.2%. The average level of postpartum depression was significantly higher in the group of women who had experienced stressful life events during pregnancy. The presence of relatives during childbirth significantly reduced the level of postpartum depression. The dependent correlation was obtained between the memory of labor as a "traumatic experience", and the incidence of postpartum depression. In a sample of women who developed the postpartum depression, the percentage of anxiety cases due to motherhood was significantly higher. The dependent correlation was found between mental disorders occurring before pregnancy and the incidents of postnatal depression. In the group of women with postpartum depression, the percent of cases of mental illnesses in the family was significantly higher. There is a connection between an unfavorable economic situation of women and the occurrence of PPD. Conclusions. The prevalence of postpartum depression in first week after childbirth was estimated at 23.2%. Psychosocial determinants of postpartum depression include stressful life events during pregnancy, childbirth without the presence of relatives, the negative memory of labor, anxiety due to motherhood, the incidence of mental illness before pregnancy, family history of mental disorders and the unfavorable economic situation. There was no association between the lack of social support and the incidence of postpartum depression.