Predictors of increased depressive symptoms in the postpartum period

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are a risk period in a woman's life in terms of manifesting mental disorders, such as postpartum depression. Previous research has identified several risk factors affecting the onset and progression of postpartum depression. Aim: (1) to find the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the postpartum women group; (2) to verify the influence of selected factors on the level of postpartum depression. Materials and methods: Study sample consisted of 510 mothers in the postpartum period, mean age 30.6 years (±5.3; range 19-45 years). The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to measure symptoms of depression; a questionnaire of our own design was used to assess selected factors potentially influencing level of depressive symptoms. Results: In the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, the respondents achieved an average score of 9.3 ± 5.6; and the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms was 25.3%. The linear regression model showed that significant predictors of postpartum depression were: lower education; history of depression; dependence on the opinion of others; concerns about future; low satisfaction with motherhood; problems with partner; problems with breast-feeding; tearful child; negative emotions toward the baby; and poor mastering of maternity. Discussion: Significant predictors of postpartum depression identified in this study can be easily detected in clinical practice using the unique long-term contact that a woman has with her prenatal midwife. Evaluation of mothers' emotional health and screening for postpartum depression risk factors can enable midwives to identify those at risk and intervene in a timely manner.

The Association between Birth Satisfaction and the Risk of Postpartum Depression

“…The prevalence of the onset of depressive symptoms with the EPDS at ≥10 points (research criterion) was 16.7% and the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥13 points) was 6.07%. Previous studies conducted in Slovakia found a prevalence of PPD (major depressive symptoms) in the early postpartum period ranging from 14 up to 25.3% using various research tools [ 54 , 55 ]. Based on data from the Czech version of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood, the prevalence of PPD in the 6-week postpartum period (EPDS ≥10 points) was 21.9%, but with a stricter EPDS score, prevalence was 11.8% [ 31 ].…”

Mother-infant bonding in the postpartum period and its predictors

“…A strong bond between a mother and her child leads to positive results and affects their relationship throughout life (Barker et al, 2017). It also plays a role in preventing postpartum depression (Banovcinova et al, 2019;Reck et al, 2016). A part of the baby blues or even postpartum depressions may be related to the woman's separation from her child, as her maternal instinct of a care giver, which is naturally biologically encoded in every mammalian female, is not fulfilled (Hašto et al, 2014).…”

Risk factors associated with postpartum depression and PTSD after birth in a sample of Slovak women

“…According to a study focusing on the prevalence of postpartum depression in Slovakia with a relatively small sample of female respondents, the incidence of depressive symptoms assessed in the sixth week, in the period of four to six days after childbirth, was 11–20 % [ 5 ]. Another study produced similar results, in which the prevalence rate of severe depressive symptoms was 25 % in Slovakia [ 6 ]. According to the first study dealing with the adaptation of the Slovak version of the EPDS questionnaire, the incidence of depressive symptoms in women on the 2–4th day after childbirth was 6 %, while in the time period 6–8 weeks after delivery, the prevalence rate of such symptoms was 11.6 % [ 7 ].…”