In the shadow of maternal depressed mood: experiences of parenthood during the first year after childbirth

Abstract

To study the period and point prevalence of maternal depressive mood at three occasions before and after childbirth, and the relationship to the parents' psychosocial conditions and experiences of parenthood during the first year after childbirth. In a longitudinal community-based study, 434 pregnant women were invited to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (cut-off score 9/10) at three time points. The parents' psychosocial conditions and experiences of parenthood were enquired at two months and at one year after childbirth, when the form Experience of Motherhood/Fatherhood Questionnaire (EMQ/EFQ) was applied. Three times measurement responses from both men and women were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods and path-analysis. About 75% of the parents responded to the questionnaires. The period prevalence was 28%, and the point prevalence found on the three time points was EPDS I 21%, EPDS II 17% and EPDS III 12%. Correlations between antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms were found, r = 0.61 and r = 0.45, respectively. Women, who experienced financial worries, lack of social support and losses and strains after childbirth showed more symptoms of depressed mood. The maternal depressive mood influenced negatively on breastfeeding and experiences of motherhood, but not on experiences of fatherhood. The partners of depressed women were neither more involved in childcare nor did they utilize paternal leave more than the other men. Both men and women reported the sexual life as negatively influenced by the women's depressed mood.

Mothers' Health and Work-Related Factors at 11 Weeks Postpartum

“…11,12 Additionally, women who were married or living with partners had better postpartum health, a fi nding consistent with reports in the medical literature addressing the positive association of marriage and health at later life stages. [36][37][38] Research is needed to assess whether educational interventions would be helpful (eg, discussions on the nature of support, its importance to well-being, and how to access support in times of need).…”

“…Five studies found a positive association, [10][11][12][13]17 whereas 1 study reported no association. 14 The positive associations are observed across various measures of support, health outcomes, and time of measurement after childbirth.…”

“…14 The positive associations are observed across various measures of support, health outcomes, and time of measurement after childbirth. [10][11][12][13]17 Only 2 studies addressed employed women, 10,13 however, and only 1 examined the impact of work-related support. Killien et al reported that lack of workplace peer cohesion was associated with a reduction in women's daily role function.…”

“…as preexisting health status, parity, breastfeeding, the availability of social support from family and friends, [8][9][10][11][12] and work-related factors, eg, the timing of return to work, job stress, and workplace support. 13 Few studies, however, have examined these factors in association with women's postpartum health.…”

The Relationship Between Postpartum Mental Status and Breastfeeding

“…[48] Başka bir çalışmada doğum sonrası 8.haftada depresyonu olan kadınların emzirmeye yönelik düşüncelerinin daha olumsuz olduğu gösterilmiştir. [49] Amerika'da yapılan bir çalışmada ise gebelik dönemi boyunca depresif belirtisi fazla olan kadınların emzirmeye başlama konusunda isteksiz oldukları ve birçoğunun da başlamadıkları belirtilmiştir. [50] Kanada ve Amerika'da yapılan çalışmalarda depresif annelerin anne sütü-ne devamlılık konusunda daha başarısız olduklarını gösterilmektedir.…”