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Links Between Early Post-partum Mood and Post-natal Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Patricia Hannah ,
Diana Adams ,
Angela Lee ,
Vivette Glover  and
M. Sandler
Patricia Hannah
Affiliation:
Bernhardt Baron Memorial Research Laboratories, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Goldhawk Road, London W6 0XG
Diana Adams
Affiliation:
Bernhardt Baron Memorial Research Laboratories, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Goldhawk Road, London W6 0XG
Angela Lee
Affiliation:
Bernhardt Baron Memorial Research Laboratories, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Goldhawk Road, London W6 0XG
Vivette Glover
Affiliation:
Bernhardt Baron Memorial Research Laboratories, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Goldhawk Road, London W6 0XG
M. Sandler*
Affiliation:
Bernhardt Baron Memorial Research Laboratories, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Goldhawk Road, London W6 0XG
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to rate 217 patients at five days and six weeks post-partum. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the two scores, together with similar symptom profiles. Of the 25 women who suffered postnatal depression (6–week EPDS score ≥13), 17 had similar symptoms in the first week postpartum (5–day EPDS score ≥10). Low birth weight of the baby, delivery by Caesarean section, a delivery much more difficult than expected, and bottle feeding were all significantly associated with a high EPDS score in the first week post-partum. Bottle feeding and delivery by Caesarean section were the only factors associated with depression at the sixth week. A recollection of low mood after a previous birth was also associated with post-natal depression after the current birth. This, together with an EPDS score of 13 or more at five days post-partum, increased the risk of post-natal depression at six weeks 85–fold.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 160 , Issue 6 , June 1992 , pp. 777 - 780
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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