The role of newborn gender in postpartum depressive symptoms among women in Upper Egypt

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude of postpartum depression among women in Upper Egypt, in addition to the role of newborn gender. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient family-planning clinic of a university hospital. Women were enrolled if their first offspring was female and if they had 2 previous deliveries, the last within 3months; no obstetric complications; regular marital life; middle social class or higher; and no past or family history of psychiatric illness. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess the prevalence and severity of postpartum depressive symptoms. ResultsOf the 290 participants, 150 had a female second child (group 1) and 140 had a male second child (group 2). Overall, 113 (39.0%) women scored more than 13 on the EPDS: 70 in group 1 and 43 in group 2. Of the 113 women, 35 (31.0%) scored mild, 29 (25.7%) scored moderate, and 49 (43.4%) scored severe on the BDI. Significantly more women with a female second child had severe depression (P<0.001). ConclusionPostpartum depressive symptoms were common among the present sample of women in Upper Egypt. Having female-only offspring is an important potential risk factor for postpartum depression and its severity.