Definition, Prevalence & Etiology
Definition
• Depression occurring during pregnancy (antenatal) and after childbirth (postnatal)
• Should be checked at 1st contact in primary care, at 1st booking visit in antenatal clinic & postnatally)
• Baby blues: Self-limiting mood changes 2-3 days postpartum, resolves by day 5
• Postpartum psychosis: Psychiatric emergency with rapid mood swings, hallucinations and delusions
Prevalence
• Postnatal depression affects 15-20% of women in the first year
Etiology
• Hormonal changes
• Psychological factors
• Social factors