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Maternal depression is more common at four years following childbirth than at any other time in the first 12 months after childbirth, and there needs to be a greater focus on maternal mental health, suggests a new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The study using data from 1507 women from six public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, examines the prevalence of maternal depression from early pregnancy to four years postpartum. The researchers identify the possible risk factors for depressive symptoms at four years postpartum, including previous depression, relationship transitions, intimate partner violence and social adversity.
The strongest predictor of depressive symptoms at four years postpartum was having previously reported depressive symptoms either in early pregnancy or in the first 12 months after childbirth. Other factors associated with depressive symptoms were; young maternal age (18-24 years), stressful life events/social adversity in the year prior to the four year follow-up, intimate partner violence and low income. Exposure to intimate partner abuse in the first 12 months postpartum or in the year prior to the four year follow-up was associated with a four-fold increase in odds of reporting depressive symptoms at four years postpartum.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/277158.php
Abstract available at BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.12837/abstract
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