Emotional disturbance during pregnancy and following delivery

Abstract

Fifty-five pregnant women were initially included in this study and 47 of them were followed through to 10 days after delivery. The subjects completed behavioural ratings during pregnancy and after delivery. Ratings on the Wakefield Depression Inventory were higher during pregnancy than after delivery. Ratings for anxiety and hostility were no higher after delivery than during pregnancy. There were significant positive correlations between pregnancy and post-partum ratings for hostility and depression in women who had vaginal deliveries suggesting that it might be possible to identify women at risk of emotional disturbance during pregnancy. Women delivered by Caesarean section had significantly higher ratings for anxiety and depression in the immediately post-partum days.