title: Persian couples' experiences of depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in the pre- and perinatal period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of changes in depressive symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in couples. This was examined before, during and after the pregnancy. In addition, (HRQoL) was examined in relation to the mode of delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective longitudinal study of 416 couples was conducted in two teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The translated Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms respectively, and are reported here.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that women and their spouses experienced a noticeable decline in their physical HRQoL during and after the pregnancy. However, their mental health functioning showed a significant improvement following conception. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was high but decreased over the course of the pregnancy. Finally, HRQoL was affected by mode of delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that women and their husbands experienced marked changes in perceived health-related functioning and depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy. In addition, the study found that those women who had undergone Cesarean section had higher mental well-being scores. Future research should determine the benefits of extending pre-conception and pre-natal guidelines on the benefits of regular physical activity throughout and after pregnancy in Persian couples.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Department, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust , Hammersmith , London .
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: van den Akker
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bewley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult