Csarean section tied to higher risk of postpartum depression compared to normal delivery

Screening for postpartum depression was conducted within one week of delivery and again after six weeks of delivery using a validated English or Tamil version of the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). An EPDS score ≥ 13 was considered positive for PPD. To determine the association univariate and multivariable analysis was done.

The researchers reported the following findings:

• The overall prevalence of postpartum depression was 27.27%.
• The prevalence of PPD was higher in the CS (34.71%) than in the ND group (19.83%).
• PPD was found 2.1 times (OR-2.1) in the CS group within one week and 2.5 times (RR-2.5) at six weeks of delivery, respectively.
• Among the social factors, a history of domestic abuse or violence was found to be significantly associated with PPD by both univariate and multivariable analysis.

"Our findings revealed that postpartum depression was twice higher among women in the cesarean section than in the normal delivery group," the researchers wrote. "Domestic abuse or violence was very highly significantly associated with PPD."

Reference:

Agarwal, P., Dasari, P. & Sarkar, S. Mode of Delivery and Postpartum Depression: A Cohort Study. J Obstet Gynecol India (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-023-01810-7