---
title: What increases the risk of depression in the first days after childbirth?
description: A history of mental illness, PMDD, and mood symptoms during late pregnancy all increase the risk of early postpartum depression, though only 6.8% of women dev
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/risk-factors-for-early-postpartum-depressive-symptoms-2006/
---

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- What increases the risk of depression in the first days after childbirth?

Cohort study, 2006

# What increases the risk of depression in the first days after childbirth?

A history of mental illness, PMDD, and mood symptoms during late pregnancy all increase the risk of early postpartum depression, though only 6.8% of women developed symptoms.

 Moderate study design

1800 women in a general hospital maternity ward

## What they did

1800 women in a hospital maternity ward were assessed in their first 3 days after childbirth using a questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Researchers looked for risk factors for early postpartum depression.

## What they found

6.8% of 1,286 women (88 women) had depression scores indicating depression. Risk factors included a history of any mental illness, especially past postpartum depression, having PMDD, and having mood symptoms during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

## What it means for you

Women with PMDD or a history of mental illness should be monitored closely after childbirth for mood problems. This was a single hospital study and findings may not apply to all settings. The study shows association but does not prove cause and effect.

1800

women assessed

6.8%

had early postpartum depression

88 of 1,286

with depression score of 10 or higher

## About the study

Original title Risk factors for early postpartum depressive symptoms Authors Bloch M, Rotenberg N, Koren D et al. Journal General hospital psychiatry Year 2006 Study design Cohort study Participants 1,800 What was tested None, observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2005.08.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2005.08.006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2021

Are there hormone changes that could explain PMDD or depression in women?

Systematic review, 2022

Does having PMDD increase the risk of depression during pregnancy or after birth?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Randomised trial, 2006

Do women with PMDD and depression process progesterone differently than others?

Cohort study, 2005

Is PMDD a strong risk factor for postpartum depression?

Review, 2004

How should PMDD be treated with antidepressants?

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