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.