Depressive Symptom Prevalence and Predictors in the First Half of Pregnancy

Major depression during the peripartum (MDP) period carries significant public health impact due to the potential adverse effects on maternal, infant, and family outcomes.

As part of a larger longitudinal study, this cross-sectional observational study sought to build upon the current literature on the prevalence and predictors of depression in the early second trimester of pregnancy, as related to generally accepted risk factors and other less explored risk factors.

The findings from this study suggest that in this sample of 230 black and white women at ∼14 weeks gestation, ∼19% endorsed depressive symptoms and that the most important predictors of depression in pregnancy were a preconception history of a mental health issue (e.g., lifetime depressive episode) and perceived stress. Other relevant predictors were pregnancy-related anxiety, income, and stressful life events.

It is important for clinicians not only to screen for MDP during prenatal visits by asking about current depressive, stress, and anxiety symptoms but also to identify patients at risk for MDP by asking simple questions about history of preconception/lifetime episodes of depression and stressful life events. Given the variance accounted for by lifetime depression, additional research into how clinicians may approach this important topic is warranted. For example, checklists given in the waiting room may be less likely to elicit endorsement compared with conversations aimed to normalize the range of depressive histories that may have relevance to obstetric health.