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. 2016 Jan 25;11(1):e0144274.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144274. eCollection 2016.

Delineating the Association between Heavy Postpartum Haemorrhage and Postpartum Depression

Patricia Eckerdal  1 , Natasa Kollia  2 , Johanna Löfblad  1 , Charlotte Hellgren  1 , Linnea Karlsson  3   4 , Ulf Högberg  1 , Anna-Karin Wikström  1 , Alkistis Skalkidou  1
Affiliations

Delineating the Association between Heavy Postpartum Haemorrhage and Postpartum Depression

Patricia Eckerdal et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the association between postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and postpartum depression (PPD), taking into account the role of postpartum anaemia, delivery experience and psychiatric history.

Methods: A nested cohort study (n = 446), based on two population-based cohorts in Uppsala, Sweden. Exposed individuals were defined as having a bleeding of ≥1000 ml (n = 196) at delivery, and non-exposed individuals as having bleeding of <650 ml (n = 250). Logistic regression models with PPD symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EPDS) score ≥ 12) as the outcome variable and PPH, anaemia, experience of delivery, mood during pregnancy and other confounders as exposure variables were undertaken. Path analysis using Structural Equation Modeling was also conducted.

Results: There was no association between PPH and PPD symptoms. A positive association was shown between anaemia at discharge from the maternity ward and the development of PPD symptoms, even after controlling for plausible confounders (OR = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.15-4.58). Path analysis revealed significant roles for anaemia at discharge, negative self-reported delivery experience, depressed mood during pregnancy and postpartum stressors in increasing the risk for PPD.

Conclusion: This study proposes important roles for postpartum anaemia, negative experience of delivery and mood during pregnancy in explaining the development of depressive symptoms after PPH.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Graphic display of significant pathways associated with self-reported depression status 6 weeks postpartum.
Graphic display of the significant pathways through which postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and other delivery related variables as well as earlier psychological contact, lack of exclusive breastfeeding and inadequate sleep at 6 weeks postpartum influence depression status at 6 weeks postpartum. Pathways indicated with a continuous arrow were statistically significant (p<0.05). Dotted arrows represent pathways with p = 0.05–0.20.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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