Differential risk factors for prenatal and postpartum depression in South Korea

Abstract

Introduction Incidence for depression increases during the perinatal period. Risk factors for depression may differentially affect each time period. Objectives To assess demographic, psychological and obstetric risk factors that differentially affect prenatal and postpartum depression Methods A total of 169 subjects participated. Assessment was conducted during the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, within a month after childbirth, and a month after childbirth. Demographic and obstetric measures, as well as psychological measures, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were conducted. Multiple regression and the Mann-Whitney U test were performed to examine the association between variables and depression scores. Results Depression score was higher during the postpartum period than the prenatal period. Younger age was associated with depression during the first trimester. In the second trimester, less education, a history of depression and having stress within a year significantly affected depression scores. Smoking, artificial abortion and lack of support from family and parents correlated with depression during the third trimester. Within a month after childbirth, psychiatric and depression history, smoking, stress level within a year and lack of family support were associated with depression. At a month after childbirth, those who were primiparous and not breastfeeding had significantly higher depression scores. Conclusions This study identifies various risk factors for each gestational and postpartum period and suggests differential interventions for different perinatal periods.

Keywords

• Perinatal depression
• postpartum period
• Risk factors
• gestation period