Obstetric, somatic, and demographic risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms

  • Linköping University ROR

Obstetrics and Gynecology, 99(2), 223-228

DOI 10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01722-7 PMID 11814501

Abstract

Objective

To identify and test the predictive power of potential independent risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the perinatal period.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study where 132 women with postpartum depressive symptoms were selected as an index group and 264 women without depressive symptoms as a control group. Data related to sociodemographic status, medical, gynecologic, and obstetric history, pregnancy, and perinatal events were collected from standardized medical records.

Results

The strongest risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms were sick leave during pregnancy and a high number of visits to the antenatal care clinic. Complications during pregnancy, such as hyperemesis, premature contractions, and psychiatric disorder were more common in the postpartum depressed group of women. No association was found between parity, sociodemographic data, or mode of delivery and postpartum depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Women at risk for postpartum depression can be identified during pregnancy. The strongest risk factors, sick leave during pregnancy and many visits to the antenatal care clinic, are not etiologic and might be of either behavioral or biologic origin. The possibilities of genetic vulnerability and hormonal changes warrant further investigation to reach a more thorough understanding.

Topics

postpartum depression risk factors pregnancy complications, sick leave during pregnancy postpartum depressive symptoms, case control study postpartum depression obstetric factors, hyperemesis premature contractions postpartum depression risk, antenatal care visits postpartum depression prediction, somatic demographic predictors postpartum depressive symptoms, parity mode of delivery postpartum depression association, hormonal vulnerability postpartum depression genetic factors, pregnancy psychiatric disorder postpartum depression, identifying women at risk postpartum depression during pregnancy
PMID 11814501 11814501 DOI 10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01722-7 10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01722-7

Cite this article

Josefsson, A., Angelsiöö, L., Berg, G., Ekström, C. M., Gunnervik, C., Nordin, C., & Sydsjö, G. (2002). Obstetric, somatic, and demographic risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms. *Obstetrics and gynecology*, *99*(2), 223-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01722-7

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