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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Changes in depressive symptoms over 0-9 months postpartum.

Dwenda Gjerdingen¹, Scott Crow, Patricia McGovern

¹Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Minnesota, 580 Rice Street, St. Paul, MN 55103, USA. dgjerdin@umphysicians.umn.edu

Journal of Women'S Health (2002)

|March 1, 2011

Summary

Postpartum depression symptoms peaked early and late in the first year. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) effectively screens for depression, with prior depression history predicting symptom onset.

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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

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Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Area of Science:

Reproductive Health
Mental Health Research
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant concern affecting maternal well-being.
Understanding the temporal patterns of PPD symptoms is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

To track changes in postpartum depression symptom prevalence from 0-9 months postpartum.
To identify specific symptoms that best differentiate between depressed and non-depressed mothers.

Main Methods:

A prospective study involving 506 mothers recruited from family medicine and pediatric clinics.
Mothers completed the 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at multiple postpartum intervals (0-1, 2, 4, 6, 9 months).

Main Results:

22.1% of mothers reported positive PHQ-9 scores (≥10) within 9 months postpartum.
Symptom prevalence was highest at 0-1 month (12.5%) and 9 months (10.2%), with a dip in between.
Prior history of depression was the sole significant predictor of developing PPD between 6 and 9 months postpartum.

Conclusions:

Postpartum depressive symptoms exhibit a bimodal pattern, peaking in the early and later postpartum periods.
The PHQ-9 is a valuable tool for screening PPD, although abnormal sleep, appetite, and fatigue were less discriminating symptoms.
Further research is warranted to validate the 9-month symptom peak and explore its underlying causes.