The association between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and post-delivery fear of childbirth; a prospective study

Meike Bangma, Brenda M. Kazemier, Dimitri N. M. Papatsonis, Hester J. van der Zaag-Loonen, K. Marieke Paarlberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Fear of childbirth is an important reason for a caesarean section on request. Objective: To assess the association between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and post-delivery fear of childbirth (PFOC). Methods: We prospectively studied pregnant women from two hospitals in the Netherlands. Women completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EPDS), the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ B) and questions concerning risk factors. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and six weeks post-delivery. PFOC was assessed six weeks post-delivery. Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between women with and without a depression at baseline. The association between depression and PFOC was assessed with multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: 245 women participated in this study. At baseline 11% suffered from depressive symptoms. There were no differences in pregnancy outcomes. Women with depressive symptoms more often suffered from depressive symptoms six weeks post-delivery (adjusted OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.4–17). PFOC six weeks post-delivery was present in 11%. Women with depression were at increased risk of PFOC six weeks post-delivery (adjusted OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.6–32). Conclusion: This study shows that women with depression at baseline are at increased risk for depression and PFOC six weeks post-delivery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)367-377
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of reproductive and infant psychology
Volume38
Issue number4
Early online date2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Depression
  • fear of childbirth
  • post-partum
  • pregnancy
  • psychiatry

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