Postpartum Depression Among Gay Fathers With Children Born Through Surrogacy: A Cross-sectional Study

Studies on postpartum depression (PPD) in gay fathers are scarce. The goals of this study were to examine the prevalence of PPD among Israeli gay fathers with children born through surrogacy and to identify characteristics associated with PPD in this population.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we sent surveys to gay fathers who had children who were 0 to 12 months of age and were born through surrogacy. Surveys were sent through 3 major surrogacy agencies in Israel and through the media. Data were collected concerning sociodemographic, medical, and lifestyle factors as well as concerning satisfaction with partners, family, and social support. Each respondent completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, which screens for PPD. Characteristics of fathers with and without probable PPD were compared.

Between July 2018 and December 2019, 66 men answered our questionnaire. The respondents, mean age of 37.5 years, were mostly first-time fathers (82%), with high rates of twin pregnancies (42%). Eight respondents (12%) were classified as having depressive symptoms (95% CI: 5.4%-22.5%), and 16 respondents (25%) reported current or past use of antidepressant medications. A negative association was observed between satisfaction with family support and report of depressive symptoms (χ22=6.53, P=0.038) and Spearman correlation test (rs=-0.34, P=0.005).

The incidence of probable PPD among gay fathers was 12% compared with 8.8% reported in fathers in the general population. High satisfaction with family support was associated with a lower incidence of probable PPD among gay fathers. Increased awareness of the potential for PPD in gay fathers can improve early diagnosis and treatment.