Postpartum Depression - Should Obstetric Hospitals Perform Routine Screening?

Purpose: Postpartum depression is not a rare illness; it has a prevalence of 13% and potentially severe consequences for mother and child. The aim Of our Study was to evaluate whether screening for postpartum depression at obstetric hospitals is sensible and feasible. Patients and Methods: 234 primipara taking antenatal classes at our hospital were screened. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Anxiety-Inventory (SAI) and the Short Stress Questionnaire (I(AB) were used as screening tools. Questionnaire F1 was given to the patients 10-2 weeks prenatally, questionnaire F2 1-2 weeks postnatally and questionnaire F3 between 3-4 months postnatally. A cut-off score of 12 points in questionnaire F1 was considered positive for depression (group A), as opposed to group B scoring < 12 points in the EPDS. Results: The F1-EPDS detected that the majority of women with postpartum depression present with depression prenatally. Significantly more patients showed medium to high anxiety scores prenatally (SAI) in group A, indicating the significance of prenatal anxiety as an early sign of depression. The number of women with KAB scores showing medium or high stress levels increased significantly postpartum in group A and stayed oil a high level over the following months. There were no signs of adaptation to the new Situation in these patients. Conclusion: It is sensible and feasible to perform longitudinal screening for postpartum depression in obstetric hospitals, since a prenatal depressive mood may initially be disguised as a mood of general anxiety. Prenatal hospital screening can help to raise awareness of this problem in aftercare medical staff.