Affective disorders in the first week after the delivery: prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

Summary Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of affective disorders in women 3 to 5 days after childbirth and the influence of sociodemographic, psychiatric and obstetric factors on the prevalence of maternity blues. Material and methods: The study was conducted at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, between January and July 2007. 350 women between 3rd and 5th day of puerperium were asked to fill in a questionnaire, designed especially for the purpose of the study, containing10 items from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. 344 questionnaires were filled in properly. Results: 132 mothers (38,4%) had an EPDS score ≥10. It has been revealed that low educational level, lack of family support, pregnancy complications and patient’s history of depression had strong influence on postpartum mood. Parity, cesarean delivery, place of residence, occupation, marital status, socioeconomic level, preterm delivery and breast feeding showed no relationship with maternity blues. There were no differences in newborns’ condition according to Apgar scale. Conclusions: Every third mother is at risk of developing maternity blues. The implementation of screening for early postpartum affective disorders seems to be crucial in singling out women at risk of postpartum depression.