Prenatal health behaviors and postpartum depression: is there an association?
Postpartum depression is a prevalent mental disorder; however, scarce research has examined its association with prenatal health behaviors. This study investigated the associations of cigarette smoking, caffeine intake, and vitamin intake during pregnancy with postpartum depressive symptoms at 8 weeks after childbirth. Using a prospective cohort study design, participants were recruited from the postpartum floor at a hospital for women and newborns located in a northeastern city, from 2005 through 2008. Eligible women who were at least 18 years old and spoke English were interviewed in person while hospitalized for childbirth (N = 662). A follow-up home interview was conducted at 8 weeks postpartum with a 79% response rate (N = 526). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that smoking cigarettes anytime during pregnancy and not taking prenatal vitamins in the first trimester were significantly associated with worse depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Moreover, having a colicky infant, an infant that refuses feedings, being stressed out by parental responsibility, and having difficulty balancing responsibilities were stressors associated with worse depressive symptoms. Primary health care providers should consider evaluating women for risk of postpartum depression during their first prenatal visit, identifying prenatal health behaviors such as smoking and taking prenatal vitamins.
Department of Health Services Administration, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. rdagher1@umd.edu
Rada K
RK
Dagher
Edmond D
ED
Shenassa
D000328:Adult; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
D014815:Vitamins; D002110:Caffeine