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A new study published on May 8 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, shows that women who became pregnant unintentionally are four times more likely to suffer from postpartum depression at twelve months postpartum.

Unintended pregnancy was defined in the study as both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies. Data was analysed for 688 women at three months and 550 women at twelve months and the results showed that postpartum depression was more likely in women with unintended pregnancies at both three months (11% vs. 5%) and twelve months (12% vs. 3%). The increased risk was highest at 12 months which indicates that this group of women have a long term risk of depression. When age, education level and poverty status were factored into the results, women with unintended pregnancy were still twice as likely to have postpartum depression at twelve months.
The authors conclude that unintended pregnancy may have a long term effect on maternal wellbeing and clinicians could consider pregnancy intention at antenatal visits and offer appropriate support both during and following the pregnancy.

Dr Rebecca Mercier, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of North Carolina and co-author of the research said: “While many elements may contribute to postpartum depression, the results of this study show that unintended pregnancy resulting in live birth could also be a contributing factor. Simple, low-cost screening interventions to identify women at risk could allow targeted intervention when appropriate”.

I find that when women at risk for PPD come in for therapy during their pregnancy they have less symptoms and a shorter duration of symptoms than if they prolong getting help. The sooner they resolve their feeling about the unplanned pregnancy, the less likely they will experience depression postpartum.

Therapy is useful for resolving issues both during pregnancy and postpartum.

John Hopkins researchers have uncovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression. This is a small study but if it can be replicated on a larger scale that would mean great news for pregnant moms. We already ask that doctors screen pregnant women by asking about risk factors such as prior or family history of mood disorders, current stressful situations or relationships but it is much easier (and therefore more likely that doctors have time to do it) if it is added to the standard battery of blood tests doctors already give pregnant women.

If we can more easily identify women who have a high risk for PPD, then we provide the new mom with support and education about effective treatments while she is still pregnant and hopefully get help started immediately following birth to reduce the depression’s severity or length. This will also help normalize the experience (research has shown that 10 – 20% of new moms experience PPD) and women won’t feel that it something that they are doing wrong or feel guilt about not enjoying new motherhood. We mustn’t start viewing PPD as only due to genetics though. We must also recognize the impact stressors i.e. lack of support, loneliness, financial and environmental stress or trauma have on PPD. This is a very small study but the researchers say they hope to move to the next step to collect blood samples from a larger group of pregnant women and follow them for a longer period of time.