Fatigue as a predictor of postpartum depression

The postpartum is a time when women commonly report increased fatigue that may contribute to depression. Studies have not examined fatigue alone as a predictor of postpartum depression.

To examine whether and when fatigue in the early postpartum is predictive of postpartum depression.

Correlational, longitudinal study.

Two hospitals and participants' homes in central Pennsylvania.

Convenience sample of 38 healthy women recruited from hospital maternity units within 24 hours after an uncomplicated birth.

Fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist (MFSC) on Days 0, 7, 14, and 28 after childbirth. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptomatology Scale (CES-D) on Day 28.

After adjustments for multiple comparisons, a significant correlation was obtained between fatigue as measured by the MFSC and postpartum depression on Day 7 (r = .46; p < .05), Day 14 (r = .57), and Day 28 (r = .70). Fatigue on Day 0 was correlated with fatigue on Day 7 (r = .45), Day 14 (r= .58), and Day 28 (r = .34).

Fatigue as early as 7 days postpartum is predictive of depression at Day 28 postpartum.