The Impact of Antepartum Depression and Postpartum Depression on Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to systematically review the impact of antepartum depression on exclusive breastfeeding. A total of 15 studies were included in the review and 12 studies were used for the meta-analysis. The mean values of antepartum depression indicated that women who breastfed exclusively between 3 and 6 months had less antepartum depression symptoms (Mean Difference = −0.55, 95% CI = −0.76 to −0.35). The analysis also showed that the existence of antepartum depression was negatively related to continuing exclusive breastfeeding for longer than 3 months postpartum as well as for 8 weeks postpartum (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.88 and OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.75–0.91, respectively). The cumulative evidence is conclusive that antepartum depressive symptoms are negatively associated with exclusive breastfeeding, particularly between 3 and 6 months postpartum. This review supports the necessity of screening and follow-up for depression throughout the perinatal period to promote exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Antepartum Depression: A University Hospital-Based

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with antepartum depression among Thai women. Materials and Methods: All pregnant women attending the Antenatal Care Clinic at Songklanagarind Hospital from June to August 2020 were invited to participate and evaluated through self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression models were used for the data analysis in order to control for potential confounders. Results: 435 women were in their first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy (20.2 %, 39.5 %, and 40.2 %, respectively). The majority of them reported normal Rosenberg’s Self-esteem Scale scores (83.4 %) and a high level of perceived social support (74.5 %). Moreover, according to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, the prevalence of antepartum depression was 10.6 %. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors associated with antepartum depression were second trimester of pregnancy, survival and below-survival levels of income, unintended pregnancy, and low level of self-esteem. Conclusion: One-tenth of pregnant Thai women suffered from depression. Advanced gestational age, low income, unintended pregnancy, and low self-esteem were significant factors associated with antepartum depression.

Assessment of Antepartum Depression and its Effect on Pregnancy Outcome in Two Primary Health Care Units in Qaliobia Governorate, Egypt

Background: Depression during pregnancy occurs more often than most people realize. Early detection of depression during pregnancy is critical because depression can adversely affect birth outcome and neonatal health. Mental health care during pregnancy is a serious public health issue. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression and its effects on pregnancy outcome; among pregnant women in the last trimester,living in rural Egypt. Methods: the first part of the study was cross sectional; to assess the prevalence of antepartum depression. This was followed by a prospective part to detect the effects of antepartum depression on the outcome of pregnancy. The sample size was 300 consented women. A structured interview questionnaire was designed including socio-demographic and economic data, obstetric history, and neonatal information. Hamilton Rating Scale was used to detect the prevalence and level of Depression Results: 68.7% of sampled women suffered from antepartum depression. The incidence of low birth weight was (4%), and about one fifth of babies were admitted in NICU in the first month. Death in first month of life was (3%). The only significant predictor of unfavorable birth outcome using logistic regression was depression level. Females with severe depression were 9.43 at higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than normal ones. Also females with moderate depression had 1.4 higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than females without depression. Conclusion: (68.7%) of women suffered from depression during pregnancy. Increasing level of depression was significantly associated with adverse birth outcome. Key Words: depression, pregnancy, mental health, ANC, neonatal health.

The Importance of Dietary Fiber on Stress Hormone in Pregnancy: A Literature Review

Antepartum depression is a mental health issue that is frequently ignored and often leads to suicidal behaviours. The harmful effects of antepartum depression are not only experienced by mothers, but also by children in the future. Depression due to pregnancy is usually attributed to several causes, including the biological component. Biological shifts that arise during gestation interrupt the maternal stress protection mechanism, one of which is the dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis) resulting in hypersecretion of cortisol. Excessive release of cortisol as a stress hormone has been correlated with depressive symptoms, particularly throughout pregnancy. Recently, dietary factors, in particular dietary fiber, have become of concern as component that is recognized to attenuate stress hormones. The dietary fiber that is ingested will be digested by intestinal bacteria and will produce short-chain fatty acids as the essential metabolites. These metabolites are known to play a role in various brain functions, including HPA-axis through various means. The objective of this research is aimed at determining the function of dietary fiber within cortisol as a biomarker of the central stress response system, particularly throughout pregnancy.