Korean J Perinatol.  2010 Mar;21(1):74-80.

Evaluation of Risk Factors for the Postpartum Depression with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Score

• Ryu AL
• Kim TH
• Lee HH

Abstract

PURPOSE
Postpartum depression is one of the serious diseases which can influence on the mother, newborn, and the family if the recognition and treatment is not immediately performed. Currently, there are lots of known factors and diagnostic methods of postpartum depression. We studied the various factors that can affect postpartum depression.
METHODS
Participants were 93 mothers who delivered at our hospital between February 1st, 2007 and November 30th, 2007. We recorded their education status, occupation, parity, delivery method, obstetrical or medical problems during pregnancy, breast-feeding period, newborn admission period, and having herb intake after delivery. Relationship between the frequency of postpartum depression and the factors we recorded was studied.
RESULTS
Among many factors, the frequency of postpartum depression occurrence was significantly higher in multiparity, and was associated with herb intake after delivery with borderline significance. The frequency of breast feeding was significantly higher in women without postpartum depression.
CONCLUSION
Based on the result of this study, obstetricians could support better treatment and prevent postpartum depression by giving more attention to mothers who have risk factors of postpartum depression.

Keyword

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); Postpartum depression

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding
Depression, Postpartum
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Mothers
Occupations
Parity
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Risk Factors