The mediating role of delivery mode on postpartum maternal depression and mother-infant bonding

The mother-infant relationship is a magical process that begins with conception and strengthens when the mother feels the baby's movements. This special bond, formed during pregnancy, is shaped by the parent's emotions, perceptions, and behaviors toward the fetus. Research shows that heightened maternal anxiety during pregnancy and childbirth affects maternal behavior and impairs mother-infant bonding. While studies suggest that delivery mode influences maternal anxiety and postpartum depression, results often vary due to group differences and confounding factors. Although delivery mode may impact postpartum depression and mother-infant bonding, direct research on its specific effects remains limited.

In this prospective study, a structured questionnaire was administered to 208 women in six months period between March, 2024 and September, 2024 in Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine Research Hospital. The survey aimed to gather participants' demographic information and assess their mother-infant bonding and postpartum depression statuses. The Mother-infant bonding scale (MIBS) and the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS) were used for data collection.

The analysis determined that delivery mode did not significantly affect the EPDS total score and MIBS total score relation. The indirect effect was calculated as 0.001±0.001 (CI:-0.003 to 0.001, β =-0.002, p = 0.635), the direct effect as -0.170±0.228 (CI:-0.618 to 0.277, β =-0.127, p=0.063), and the total effect as -0.036±0.019 (CI:-0.074 to 0.001, β=-0.129, p = 0.059).

This study showed that mode of delivery did not affect the postnatal maternal depression on mother-infant bonding.