Maternal mental health: A longitudinal study of depression and anxiety across pregnancy and postpartum.

PROBLEM/

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety during the peripartum period affect maternal and infant well-being but remain understudied and undertreated.

AIM: This study investigated the prevalence, longitudinal course, flow patterns, and risk and protective factors for depression and generalized anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.

METHODS

A longitudinal design with four assessment points (second trimester, third trimester, three and six months postpartum) was used, including 136 women from a German university hospital. Depression and anxiety were measured using the EPDS and GAD-7. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of postpartum mental health outcomes.

FINDINGS: Prevalence rates for depression ranged from 14.7 % to 20.6 %, and for generalized anxiety from 9.6 % to 14.7 %, with no significant changes over time. Notably, 37.5 % of women recovered from antepartum depression postpartum, and 53.8 % recovered from antepartum anxiety postpartum. However, among women who reported postpartum depression or anxiety, 41.2 % experienced new-onset depression and 45.5 % new-onset anxiety. Pregnancy-related worries, depression during pregnancy, and Caesarean sections were significant risk factors for postpartum depression, whereas perceived social support was protective. Risk factors for postpartum generalized anxiety included antepartum anxiety, whereas exclusive breastfeeding was protective.

DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the substantial prevalence and persistence of peripartum depression and anxiety, with a notable proportion of women experiencing new-onset postpartum symptoms. The identified risk and protective factors provide valuable targets for future interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripartal depression and anxiety are common and often persistent. Routine mental health screening and targeted interventions are crucial to improve outcomes for mothers and infants.