Comparison of level of depression among mothers with lower segment cesarean section and vaginal delivery: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is very common among women and is a major public health problem. However, there is a wide range of the prevalence of postnatal depression among women from different countries. Women with lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) or vaginal delivery both undergo depression. However, no studies have compared the level of depression among LSCS and vaginal delivery in Indian as well Western scenario. Hence, the objective of the present study was to compare the level of depression among mothers with LSCS and vaginal delivery. Methodology: A total of 170 females were screened using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) on the 7th day postpartum for PPD, of which 85 females had undergone LSCS and 85 females had undergone vaginal delivery. The EPDS consists of 10 items and each item is rated on a four-point scale, giving maximum scores of 30. Mothers who scored above 13 were likely to be suffering from a depressive illness of varying severity. Results: The results of the present study showed that 8.23% women with vaginal delivery had depression whereas 21.17% LSCS women showed significant depression. Conclusion: PPD was found to be higher among mothers with LSCS as compared to mothers with vaginal delivery.

Keywords

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
• lower segment cesarean section
• postpartum depression
• vaginal delivery