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Updated: Dec 21, 2025

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
The association between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and post-delivery fear of childbirth; a prospective
Meike Bangma1, Brenda M Kazemier2,3, Dimitri N M Papatsonis1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amphia Teaching Hospital Breda , Breda, The Netherlands.
Background:
Fear of childbirth is an important reason for a caesarean section on request.
Objective:
To assess the association between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and post-delivery fear of childbirth (PFOC).
Methods:
We prospectively studied pregnant women from two hospitals in the Netherlands. Women completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EPDS), the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ B) and questions concerning risk factors. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and six weeks post-delivery. PFOC was assessed six weeks post-delivery. Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between women with and without a depression at baseline. The association between depression and PFOC was assessed with multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results:
245 women participated in this study. At baseline 11% suffered from depressive symptoms. There were no differences in pregnancy outcomes. Women with depressive symptoms more often suffered from depressive symptoms six weeks post-delivery (adjusted OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.4-17). PFOC six weeks post-delivery was present in 11%. Women with depression were at increased risk of PFOC six weeks post-delivery (adjusted OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.6-32).
Conclusion:
This study shows that women with depression at baseline are at increased risk for depression and PFOC six weeks post-delivery.
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