A clinical study of depressive symptoms during pregnancy

Choi, Sae Kyung; Ahn, Se Young; Shin, Jong Chul; Jang, Dong Gyu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To examine the incidence of the depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the socio-demographic and obstetric factors associated with depression.
METHODS
Two hundred five women who had received antenatal care at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from March 2008 to May 2008 completed the questionnaire related to socio-demographic characteristics and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Statistics were performed using chi-square test and Fisher's extract test (SPSS 12.0). Results were considered statistically significant for P-values<0.05.
RESULTS
Of 205 pregnant women, the mean score of EPDS was 7.3+/-4.2.54 of 205 women (26.5%) scored more than 10 point which is the cutoff value to define depressive symptoms. The incidences of depressive symptoms were not significantly different by the trimester (25.7% vs. 29.0% vs. 25.0%, P<0.844). There were no significant socio-geographic factors associated with depressive symptoms. In cases of unexpected pregnancies, the incidence of depressive symptoms was significantly high (34.6% vs. 21.0%, P=0.036), and the women who have problems of previous pregnancies scored significantly higher EPDS (56.3% vs. 23.8%, P=0.014).
CONCLUSION
This study was the first report about the depression symptoms during pregnancy. Based on this study, we have to focus on and manage depression symptoms related to pregnancy.