Pregnancy Intention and Postpartum Depression: Secondary Data Analysis from a Prospective Cohort

Citation

Mercier, Rebecca J.; Garrett, Joanne M.; Thorp, John M., Jr.; & Siega-Riz, Anna Maria (2013). Pregnancy Intention and Postpartum Depression: Secondary Data Analysis from a Prospective Cohort. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 120(9), 1116-1122. PMCID: PMC3708972

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between unintended pregnancy and postpartum depression. Design: Secondary analysis of data from a prospective pregnancy cohort. Setting: The study was performed at the University of North Carolina prenatal care clinics.
Population/sample: Pregnant women enrolled for prenatal care at the University of North Carolina Hospital Center.
Methods: Participants were questioned about pregnancy intention at 15–19 weeks of gestation, and classified as having an intended, mistimed or unwanted pregnancy. They were evaluated for postpartum depression at 3 and 12 months postpartum. Log binomial regression was used to assess the relationship between unintended pregnancy and depression, controlling for confounding by demographic factors and reproductive history.
Main outcome measures: Depression at 3 and 12 months postpartum, defined as Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale score >13.
Results: Data were analysed for 688 women at 3 months and 550 women at 12 months. Depression was more likely in women with unintended pregnancies at both 3 months (risk ratio [RR] 2.1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.2–3.6) and 12 months (RR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8–7.1). Using multivariable analysis adjusting for confounding by age, poverty and education level, women with unintended pregnancies were twice as likely to have postpartum depression at 12 months (RR 2.0, 95% CI 0.96–4.0).
Conclusion: While many elements may contribute to postpartum depression, unintended pregnancy could also be a contributing factor. Women with unintended pregnancy may have an increased risk of depression up to 1 year postpartum.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.12255

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2013

Journal Title

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Author(s)

Mercier, Rebecca J.
Garrett, Joanne M.
Thorp, John M., Jr.
Siega-Riz, Anna Maria

PMCID

PMC3708972

ORCiD

Thorp - 0000-0002-9307-6690
Siega-Riz - 0000-0002-1303-4248