Recurrent and transient depressive symptoms around delivery and maternal sensitivity

In this study, the continuity, timing and severity of depressive symptoms around delivery was compared to maternal sensitivity in a community-based sample of 78 first-time mothers. Maternal mood was assessed before delivery (an interview and the General Health Questionnaire), 2 weeks and 4 months after delivery (the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and maternal sensitivity 6-8 weeks after delivery (the CARE-Index). Nearly half (46%) of the mothers reported having depressive symptoms at least once, and half of these (23%) reported having such symptoms recurrently. Depressive mothers were significantly lower in sensitivity than non-depressive ones. Both pre- and postnatal, as well as recurrent and transient symptoms, affected the maternal interactive style, and both major and minor depressive symptoms were in most cases part of depressive continuity. Most (76%) mothers who reported depressive symptoms 2 weeks after delivery also reported recurrent symptoms. The most significant finding is considered to be that most (75%) mothers who were assessed to be at the risk level in sensitivity reported depressive symptoms. The public health nurses in the well-baby clinics identified only a few depressive mothers with recurrent symptoms. The conclusion of our study was that depressive symptoms at any time point around delivery constitute a risk of maternal interactive functioning, and identification of these problems is essential for well-timed and focused interventions.