Every New Mom Needs to Know These Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

When women are pregnant and planning the birth of their babies, those plans generally don't include how to cope with postpartum depression. And yet, postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10 to 20% of women around the world. The birth of a baby is supposed to be a joyous time, but new mothers may feel guilt or shame when facing negative feelings after giving birth. These guilty feelings can make seeking help difficult.

While science has come a long way in helping women who are suffering from postpartum depression, much of the research has been focused on how to treat it once it's already occurring. However, there is now a significant focus in research and clinical practice on developing and implementing programs to help women prevent postpartum depression. By knowing the risk factors for postpartum depression, women can prepare themselves by recognizing when it's time to ask for help, and maybe even prevent postpartum depression from developing at all.

Some Common Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression

According to a scientific review of the literature conducted in 2022, the strongest risk factors for PPD include:

• Previous history of depression or psychiatric illness
• Symptoms of depression during pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• An absence of spousal and social support

Let's take a look at these risk factors and find possible ways to reduce your risk.

Risk Factor: Previous History of Depression or Suffering From Depression During Pregnancy

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a history of mood disorders (such as depression) or anxiety disorders can increase the risk of developing postpartum depression by two to five times compared to women without such a history. The researchers also found that even women who had depression in the past but did not develop postpartum depression still had a higher incidence of baby blues than women who had never experienced a mood disorder.

Also, women who hadn't experienced depression in the past but did have depressive symptoms during pregnancy were found to be at higher risk for developing postpartum depression. One recent study showed that antenatal depression (depression during pregnancy) was a risk for developing postpartum depression. Studies show that women with depression during pregnancy are at significantly higher risk for postpartum depression, with rates varying depending on the population and methodology.

How to Help: Screening Needed for Women Before They Develop PPD

According to the website of The Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, “Screening using standardized questionnaires represents an easy, low-cost means of identifying women at risk for PPD. Screening during the first trimester is as important as screening during subsequent trimesters. If we identify women with depressive symptoms during the first trimester, we have time to institute nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to treat the current episode of depression and to reduce risk for PPD.”

Your doctor will likely give you a questionnaire to find out if you're suffering from depression while you're pregnant. Screening is recommended at the initial prenatal visit, at least once later in pregnancy, and during the postpartum period. Be sure to answer the questions truthfully and let your doctor know if you're experiencing depressive symptoms or if you have in the past.

If you're at risk, you're doctor can help guide you to the best treatment to reduce or prevent the chance of developing postpartum depression after you have your baby.

Risk Factor: Gestational Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes increases your risk factor for developing postpartum depression. Research has shown that gestational diabetes combined with previous depression puts you at even greater risk. The lead author of the study, Michael E. Silverman, said in a statement, “While having diabetes increases PPD risk for all women, for those women who have had a past depressive episode, having diabetes during pregnancy makes it 70 percent more likely that they will develop PPD.”

How to Help: Get Screened for Gestational Diabetes

Doctors typically screen for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you're found to be at risk, doctors will recommend lifestyle changes, blood sugar monitoring, and possibly medication. Not only will treating gestational diabetes help the health of a woman and her baby, but it can also give her doctors insight into her risk factors for developing postpartum depression.

Risk Factor: Lack of Spousal or Social Support

Research has shown that women with supportive partners may be protected from developing postpartum depression. Additionally, women with a supportive social network showed a decreased chance of getting postpartum depression. Fortunately, there are ways to help women find social support and also to increase spousal awareness during pregnancy.

How to Help: Join New Mom Support Groups and Include Fathers in Pregnancy Training

Prenatal classes can help both mothers and fathers prepare for their new baby. However, the information in the classes is often aimed at the mothers. By directing training to the fathers-to-be, or even providing dad-only prenatal classes, fathers can learn to be more involved in the first place and provide more support for their partners.

Many hospitals and organizations offer support groups for new mothers, both in person and online, though availability may vary by location. Be sure to check these groups out or look for others in your area. Through these groups, women can meet fellow mothers who are going through the same issues and receive the support they need to thrive postpartum.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Natalia Deriabina/Shutterstock.com.