We are becoming more aware of postpartum depression - depression that occurs in women after childbirth. However, we know very little about depression that occurs prior to childbirth, at various stages of a woman’s pregnancy. Reuters reported on a study that looks at antenatal depression, and the importance of addressing this type of depression. I’ve included the original study abstract in this post as well, for those of you interested in the scientific citation.

According to the study authors, anxiety and depression can occur during pregnancy and can become associated with postpartum depression, which makes antenatal depression an important condition to treat and to track as a risk factor for postpartum depression. Women who drank and were young when pregnant have higher risks of anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Of course, it will be important for doctors to distinguish between “normal” anxiety and bouts of depression that pregnant women experience as a result of the physico-emotional effects of pregnancy itself from pathological anxiety and depression that warrants medical attention.

Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;110:1102-1112
© 2007 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Prevalence, Course, and Risk Factors for Antenatal Anxiety and Depression
Antoinette M. Lee, PhD1, Siu Keung Lam, MD3, Stephanie Marie Sze Mun Lau, BsocSc1, Catherine Shiu Yin Chong, MBBS4, Hang Wai Chui, MPH1 and Daniel Yee Tak Fong, PhD2

From the Departments of 1Psychiatry and 2Nursing Studies, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong; and 4Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and course of antenatal anxiety and depression across different stages of pregnancy, risk factors at each stage, and the relationship between antenatal anxiety and depression and postpartum depression.

METHODS: A consecutive sample of 357 pregnant women in an antenatal clinic in a regional hospital was assessed longitudinally at four stages of pregnancy: first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and 6 weeks postpartum. The antenatal questionnaire assessed anxiety and depression (using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and demographic and psychosocial risk factors. The postpartum questionnaire assessed postpartum depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

RESULTS: More than one half (54%) and more than one third (37.1%) of the women had antenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, in at least one antenatal assessment. Anxiety was more prevalent than depression at all stages. A mixed-effects model showed that both conditions had a nonlinear changing course (P< .05 for both), with both being more prevalent and severe in the first and third trimesters. Risk factors were slightly different at different stages. Both antenatal anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.66, P=.004 in the first trimester; adjusted OR 3.65, P<.001 in the second trimester; adjusted OR 3.84, P<.001 in the third trimester) and depression (adjusted OR 4.16, P<.001 in the first trimester; adjusted OR 3.35, P=.001 in the second trimester; adjusted OR 2.67, P=.009 in the third trimester) increased the risk of postpartum depression.

CONCLUSION: Antenatal anxiety and depression are prevalent and serious problems with changing courses. Continuous assessment over the course of pregnancy is warranted. Identifying and treating these problems is important in preventing postpartum depression.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II