Objective: This study is intended to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression, its effect on life quality, and the relationship of the weight gained during pregnancy and the postpartum depression with sociodemographic parameters.
Material and Methods: 41 postpartum mothers chosen randomly among the pregnant women, who had applied to the outpatient clinic for obstetrics and gynecology between dates of April 2008 – May 2008, constituted the extent of the study. A survey including 25 questions was carried out to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of these pregnant women. Thereafter, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied.
Results: Average of EPDS scores of our cases was 9.6 and standard derivation was found as 5.18. Minimum value was 0, whereas maximum value was determined to be 23. Among groups, which were constituted according to cut-off scores regarding their EPDS levels, mean weight gain of the group (n=30) with an EPDS score lower than 13 was 14.0±4.15, whereas mean weight gain of the group (n=11) with EPDS score equal to or above 13 was found to be 10.5±6.28. According to these results, it was determined that the group with a EPDS score less than 13 gained more weight during pregnancy compared to the other group (p=0.031). Result of the study with regard to EPDS revealed a postpartum depression incidence of 26%.
Conclusion: We also intend to lay emphasis on insufficient weight gain revealed as the result of nutrition, which constitutes a risk factor for postpartum depression during pregnancy.
Key Words: Postpartum Depression; Risk Factors; Pregnant; Weight Gain
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