Postnatal Depression News and Research

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Postpartum depression (Postnatal depression) is a type of depressive illness that some women experience after child birth. This form of depression usually occurs around 4 to 6 weeks after delivery but sometimes does not manifest until months after the baby is born. The condition can occur whether a woman gives birth naturally or by way of a caesarean section.

Does maternal psychological and biological stress affect the composition of human breast milk?

Researchers investigated the influence of biological and psychological postpartum maternal stress on human milk fatty acid composition through a prospective cohort study in Amsterdam.

30 Sep 2022

Study shows significant increase in breastfeeding during COVID

In a recent study under consideration at the BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth journal and posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers described the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced pandemic on mother-baby dyads immediately after the first wave of the pandemic, i.e., between March and August 2020.

12 Apr 2022

One in three new moms screened positive for postpartum depression during early COVID-19

One in three new mothers during early COVID-19 screened positive for postpartum depression-nearly triple pre-pandemic levels-and 1 in 5 had major depressive symptoms, say University of Michigan researchers.

14 Mar 2022

Study examines relationship between prenatal and postnatal stress, depression, and infant motor development during COVID

In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers estimated the impact of antenatal and postnatal maternal mental health on the motor developments of the newborn during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

22 Feb 2022

Postpartum women's experience of social restrictions during COVID-19

A new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server has focused on the effect of various social restrictions or lack of social support on women who delivered and raised babies during the pandemic.

27 Oct 2021

Mental health determinants during COVID pandemic pregnancies in the U.K.

A new study reports the determinants of the mental state of pregnant women during the pandemic within the U.K. maternity services.

26 Oct 2021

Pandemic-related grief associated with lower levels of mother-infant bonding

The emotional connection between a mother and her newborn baby can lay the foundation for the child's development and the family's outcomes.

15 Oct 2021

Children of mothers with antenatal and postnatal depression are at greater risk of depression

Children born to mothers who are depressed during and after pregnancy are more likely to develop depressive symptoms themselves by the age of 24, according to new research led by the University of Bristol.

25 Sep 2021

Research explores the mental health of new parents and importance of social support

New parents often find themselves with negative self-image and feel alienated from support networks, new research has found.

23 Jul 2021

Researchers examine effect of depression on mother-infant relationship

In a study funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) researchers examined whether depression, either before or during pregnancy, affects the mother-infant relationship. The research was published today (Tuesday 25 May) in BJPsych Open.

25 May 2021

New mums more likely to have postnatal depression during COVID-19 lockdown

Almost half (47.5%) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown, more than double average rates for Europe before the pandemic (23%), finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

11 May 2021

COVID-19 pandemic has worsened global maternal and perinatal outcomes

Immediate action is required to preserve safe maternity care worldwide, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens global maternal and perinatal outcomes, especially in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), a study warns.

15 Apr 2021

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may increase likelihood of postpartum depression

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals may influence hormonal shifts during pregnancy as well as contribute to postpartum depression, according to a small study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

1 Apr 2021

Sensitive caretaking boosts mood, neuroprotection in infants of depressed mothers

About 1 in 9 mothers suffers from maternal depression, which can affect the mother-infant bond as well as infant development.

10 Feb 2021

Screening tool can help detect mental disorders during early pregnancy

A recent study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that questions typically asked new mothers to screen for depression after giving birth can also help to detect depressive symptoms and other mental disorders during early pregnancy.

21 Jan 2021

Severe morning sickness raises depression risk

Severe morning sickness increases the risk of depression both during and after pregnancy, new research has found.

13 Oct 2020

Maternal stress affects fetal brain development

A new study published online January 13, 2020, in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reports that mothers who suffer severe mental stress during pregnancy may have babies with abnormal development in important areas of the brain even before birth. It is already known that babies with congenital heart disease show abnormalities in brain growth and brain biochemical reactions.

13 Jan 2020