There are identifiable risk factors commonly associated with perinatal depression. These risk factors, or combinations of risk factors, serve as predictors of who may be at risk of depression. Even in the absence of these risk factors, administration of a screening instrument, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), is encouraged.
Significant Predictors for Perinatal Depression
Prenatal depression
Child care stress
Life stress
Poor social support
Prenatal anxiety
Poor marital relationship
History of previous depression
Difficult infant temperament
Maternity blues
Single marital status
Previous postpartum depression
Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Family history of depression
Taking excessive sick leave during pregnancy
Frequent visits to doctor during pregnancy
Bereavement
Prior stillborn
Other Predictors for Perinatal Depression
Difficult family relationships
Work stress/new job
Severe financial difficulties
Recent stressful events
Victim of violence or abuse
Low confidence as a parent
Family history of postpartum depression
Teen or adolescent
Complicated or difficult pregnancy
Thyroid problems or family history of thyroid problems
Poor diet or severe morning sickness
Oral-contraceptive use or Depo-Provera shot soon after delivery
Early or recent loss of a parent
Other psychiatric disorders
Excessive lability of mood during pregnancy
Transient baby blues syndrome symptoms during first ten postpartum days
References:
Beck CT. Predictors of Postpartum Depression: An Update. Nurs Res. 2001;50;275-285
Beck, CT. Revision of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory. JOGNN. 2001. Vol. 31
Kleiman, Karen. Could I Have Postpartum Depression? The Postpartum Stress Center Web site.
Lembke, Anna. A Psychosocial Approach to Postpartum Depression. Psychiatric Times, June 2002; Vol. XIX, Issue 6.
Misri, S. A Review of Screening Tools. Well Mother Web site.
Misri, S. Postpartum depression: Is there an Andrea Yates in your practice? Current Psychiatry Online. 2002; Vol 1., No 5
Misri, S., Duke, M. Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum. Journal of the Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Canada 1995; 17:657-665
Nielsen, F., Videbech, P., Hedegaard, M. Postpartum depression: identification of women at risk. BJOB, 2000. Oct; 107(10): 1210-7
Pavlovich-Danis, SJ. When “Can Do” Fades to “Why Bother”: Understanding Depression in Women. Nursing Spectrum: 2004, June 1
Watt, Sword, Krueger, Sheehan. A cross-sectional study of early identification of postpartum depression: Implications for primary care providers from The Ontario Mother & Infant Survey. BMC Family Practice. 2002, 3:5
