NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Postpartum depression, also known as ``the baby blues,'' is a well known phenomenon. But according to a recent study, women are more likely to be depressed during their pregnancy than after their child is born.

The study found that while the severity of depression did not differ before or after childbirth, symptoms of depression were more likely during pregnancy. In fact, depression was more likely in the 32nd week of pregnancy (a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks) than 8 weeks after giving birth. Depression fell to its lowest level 8 months after delivery in the group of more than 9,000 mothers. The researchers interviewed women at 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and at 8 weeks and 8 months after the birth.

About 12% of women were depressed in the 18th week of pregnancy, compared with 8% of women in the 8th month after birth, the study found.

The results, which are published in the August 4th issue of the British Medical Journal, highlight the need to recognize and treat depression during pregnancy, because a mother's mood may affect her unborn child, conclude Dr. Jonathan Evans, of the University of Bristol in the UK, and associates.

``Psychopathology during pregnancy may have an important effect on the uterine environment, and research is urgently needed into the consequences for the child of antenatal depression,'' they write. ``Offering treatment may be important for both the mother and the future well-being of the child and family.''

While widespread use of antidepressants during pregnancy is probably not a good idea, the benefits of the drugs may outweigh the risks for some women with severe depression. Women with mild or moderate depression may benefit from other, non-drug related treatments, such as problem-solving counseling, they said.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal 2001;323:257-260.

Reference Source 89

For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick Prevention Resources".