Depression peak hits pregnant women - study
13 August 2001, 09:39
London - Women are more likely to become depressed during pregnancy than after their child is born, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.
A study of more than 9 000 women found the peak point for depression was in the 32nd week of pregnancy.
Experts said pregnant women should be screened for symptoms of depression in a bid to protect the well-being of both mother and unborn child.
Around one in 10 women are estimated to suffer from postnatal depression, although campaigners say up to a third may fall victim to the condition.
It can lead to neglect of the child, family breakdown and even suicide, as well as emotional and behavioural problems among the children of depressed mothers.
Recognition of the condition has improved vastly in recent years, and GPs, health visitors and community midwives are now trained to spot the signs.
But experts have previously believed that pregnancy can actually protect against depression and the problems of antenatal depression have therefore been played down.
Researchers from the University of Bristol asked more than 9 000 women in the Avon area who were due to give birth in 1992 to complete a questionnaire on their emotional state at 18 weeks and 32 weeks into pregnancy.
They were also asked to complete further questionnaires on their emotional state at eight weeks and eight months after the birth.
Using a medically recognised scoring system, the researchers found that at 18 weeks of pregnancy, 11.8 percent of the women registered above the threshold for probable depression, according to the British Medical Journal.
That rose to a peak of 13,5 percent at 32 weeks, as women were in the last stages of pregnancy.
Eight weeks after the birth, 9,1 percent were calculated to be suffering from probable depression, falling to 1,6 percent eight months later.
The biggest rise in the number of mothers suffering from depression came between 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
"Our results show depression during pregnancy is more common than postnatal depression," study author Jonathan Evans said. "Offering treatment may be important both for the mother and the future well-being of the child and family."
"It is also important to study the potential benefits of screening for, and treating depression during pregnancy," he added.
Depression during pregnancy has been linked to low attendance of antenatal clinics, low birth weight and premature birth. - Sapa-DPA
A study of more than 9 000 women found the peak point for depression was in the 32nd week of pregnancy.
Experts said pregnant women should be screened for symptoms of depression in a bid to protect the well-being of both mother and unborn child.
Around one in 10 women are estimated to suffer from postnatal depression, although campaigners say up to a third may fall victim to the condition.
It can lead to neglect of the child, family breakdown and even suicide, as well as emotional and behavioural problems among the children of depressed mothers.
Recognition of the condition has improved vastly in recent years, and GPs, health visitors and community midwives are now trained to spot the signs.
But experts have previously believed that pregnancy can actually protect against depression and the problems of antenatal depression have therefore been played down.
Researchers from the University of Bristol asked more than 9 000 women in the Avon area who were due to give birth in 1992 to complete a questionnaire on their emotional state at 18 weeks and 32 weeks into pregnancy.
They were also asked to complete further questionnaires on their emotional state at eight weeks and eight months after the birth.
Using a medically recognised scoring system, the researchers found that at 18 weeks of pregnancy, 11.8 percent of the women registered above the threshold for probable depression, according to the British Medical Journal.
That rose to a peak of 13,5 percent at 32 weeks, as women were in the last stages of pregnancy.
Eight weeks after the birth, 9,1 percent were calculated to be suffering from probable depression, falling to 1,6 percent eight months later.
The biggest rise in the number of mothers suffering from depression came between 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
"Our results show depression during pregnancy is more common than postnatal depression," study author Jonathan Evans said. "Offering treatment may be important both for the mother and the future well-being of the child and family."
"It is also important to study the potential benefits of screening for, and treating depression during pregnancy," he added.
Depression during pregnancy has been linked to low attendance of antenatal clinics, low birth weight and premature birth. - Sapa-DPA
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