Postpartum Depression

Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression.

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Is there a link between postpartum depression and the 'love hormone'?

UNC researchers are launching a 5-year study aimed at understanding the role of oxytocin in postpartum depression and bonding between mothers and babies.

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 10, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Women with unintended pregnancy are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression

Women with unintended pregnancy are four times more likely to suffer from postpartum depression at twelve months postpartum, suggests a new study published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Obstetrics & gynaecology created May 07, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Intervention can prevent PPD in adolescents

By targeting the factors that may play a significant role in the development of postpartum depression (PPD) in adolescent mothers, researchers at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island believe they have found a way to prevent ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created Apr 30, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study finds mothers with postpartum depression want online professional treatment

Mothers suffering from postpartum depression after a high-risk pregnancy would turn to online interventions if available anonymously and from professional healthcare providers, according to researchers from Case Western Reserve ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Apr 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Surprising rate of women have depression after childbirth, study finds

(Medical Xpress)—A surprisingly high number of women have postpartum depressive symptoms, according to a new, large-scale study by a Northwestern Medicine® researcher.

Psychology & Psychiatry created Mar 14, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Stress hormone foreshadows postpartum depression in new mothers

Women who receive strong social support from their families during pregnancy appear to be protected from sharp increases in a particular stress hormone, making them less likely to develop postpartum depression, according ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Mar 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

New moms suffer more obsessive-compulsive symptoms than general population

A new mother may constantly worry and check to see if her baby is still breathing. Or she may fret about germs, obsessing whether she's properly sterilized the bottles, then wash and rewash them.

Psychology & Psychiatry created Mar 04, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Postpartum depression prevalent in under-developed countries, could impact baby health and mortality

(Medical Xpress)—Postpartum depression not only affects mothers but it could mean higher health risks for the baby – especially in low-income countries like Ghana where the condition isn't well-recognized, ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created Jan 08, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Married women more likely to have positive pregnancies, study finds

(HealthDay)—Compared with unmarried women, married women are less likely to experience domestic abuse, substance abuse or postpartum depression around the time of pregnancy, a new study finds.

Health created Jan 03, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Mayo Clinic launches pregnancy app for Windows 8

Available for desktop/laptop and tablet users on the Windows 8 platform, Mayo Clinic on Pregnancy is a trustworthy guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and baby's first three months. It was developed by Mayo Clinic leveraging ...

Obstetrics & gynaecology created Dec 18, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Emerging risk factors ID'd for postpartum depression

(HealthDay)—Emerging risk factors for postpartum depression include the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) status, both of which may interact to affect ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Dec 07, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Eating more fish could reduce postpartum depression

Low levels of omega-3 may be behind postpartum depression, according to a review lead by Gabriel Shapiro of the University of Montreal and the Research Centre at the Sainte-Justine Mother and Child Hospital.

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 15, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Mock clinical exams boost pediatric residents' comfort in addressing breastfeeding

A simulated clinical experience guiding future pediatricians through interactions with breastfeeding moms appears to put the doctors at ease with the sensitive and important health topic, researchers say.

Health created Oct 22, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Chronic stress during pregnancy prevents brain benefits of motherhood, study shows

A new study in animals shows that chronic stress during pregnancy prevents brain benefits of motherhood, a finding that researchers suggest could increase understanding of postpartum depression.

Psychology & Psychiatry created Oct 14, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 2 | with audio podcast


Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, typically after childbirth. Studies report prevalence rates among women from 5% to 25%, but methodological differences among the studies make the actual prevalence rate unclear. Among men, in particular new fathers, the incidence of postpartum depression has been estimated to be between 1.2% and 25.5%. Postpartum depression occurs in women after they have carried a child, usually in the first few months, and may last up to several months or even a year. Specifically, the onset of postpartum depression begins within 4 weeks and lasting up to 6 months after giving birth. Symptoms include sadness, fatigue, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced libido, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. Although a number of risk factors have been identified, the causes of PPD are not well understood. Many women recover with a treatment consisting of a support group or counseling.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a standardized self-reported questionnaire, may be used to identify women who have postpartum depression.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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