Survey study, 2026
Does fear of childbirth explain why women with PMS are more likely to develop postpartum depression?
Yes, partially. Fear of childbirth accounts for 31.03% of the effect of PMS on postpartum depression in first-time mothers, and 43.62% in experienced mothers. This suggests PMS creates ongoing emotional vulnerability through pregnancy and after birth.
What they did
815 women who had recently given birth completed questionnaires at their 42-day postpartum check-up. They answered about PMS history, fear during childbirth, postpartum depression, sleep, and relationship quality. Researchers analyzed whether fear of childbirth explained why women with PMS were more likely to develop postpartum depression.
What they found
PMS, fear of childbirth, and postpartum depression were positively correlated. Fear of childbirth accounted for 31.03% of the effect of PMS on postpartum depression in first-time mothers. In experienced mothers, fear accounted for 43.62% of this effect. Age at menarche, dysmenorrhea, planned pregnancy, feeding method, PMS, social support, sleep quality, and marital adjustment all significantly predicted postpartum depression.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may have a pattern of emotional vulnerability that continues through pregnancy and after birth. This suggests the importance of emotional support during pregnancy and after childbirth. The study cannot prove cause and effect. It only included women in one region of China.
815
postpartum women studied
31.03%
effect in first-time mothers
43.62%
effect in experienced mothers
About the study
- Original title
- Fear of childbirth mediates the relationship between premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression in Chinese postpartum women: a multicenter cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Li Y, Lu Y, Ji C
- Journal
- BMC pregnancy and childbirth
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 815
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-08845-4
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