Antenatal maternal mental health as determinant of postpartum depression in a population based mother-child cohort (Rhea Study) in Crete, Greece

Abstract

Purpose: Antenatal maternal mental health has been identified as an important determinant of postpartum depression (PPD). We investigated the occurrence of depression both antenatally and postnatally and examined whether maternal trait anxiety and depression during pregnancy were associated with PPD at 8 weeks postpartum in a prospective mother-child cohort (Rhea Study) in Crete, Greece.

Methods: 438 women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Trait subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Trait) questionnaires assessing antenatal depression and anxiety, respectively, during the third trimester of pregnancy as well as the EPDS at 8 weeks postpartum.

Results: The prevalence of women with probable depression (EPDS score ≥13) was 16.7 % at 28-32 weeks of pregnancy and 13.0 % at 8 weeks postpartum. A per 5 unit increase in the STAI-Trait subscale increased the odds for PPD by 70 % (OR = 1.70, 95 % CI 1.41, 2.05), whereas a per unit increase in EPDS during pregnancy increased the odds for PPD by 27 % (OR = 1.27, 95 % CI 1.19, 1.36).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that antenatal maternal psychological well-being has a significant effect on PPD, which might have important implications for early detection during pregnancy of women at risk for postpartum depression.