Evaluation of mental health and depression during pregnancy: Position paper

Women in their reproductive years constitute the population at greatest risk for major depression. Consequently, many women will experience depression during the course of conception and pregnancy. Rates of major depression among pregnant women appear to be equivalent to those of nongravid women. The evaluation of depression during pregnancy, however, is confounded by the somatic experiences normative at this time. A small number of rating instruments have been validated among pregnant women and should take precedence in research studies until new instruments are developed specifically for this group. Other issues that require further exploration are risk factors for depression during pregnancy and the course of depression during pregnancy.