ABSTRACT
Postpartum depression may be related to pregnancy and postpartum fatigue. This research was accomplished to investigate the relationship between maternal fatigue in pregnancy and postpartum period with postpartum depression. In this research, 60 women with 36 weeks of gestational age and Edinburgh scale score equal or less than 9, were selected through a multi-stages sampling method among the clients of health care centers in 2009 in Mashhad, north-eastern part of Iran. Fatigue was assessed by Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist in 36-7 weeks of pregnancy, and 5 and 14 days of postpartum. Postpartum depression was evaluated by Edinburgh scale and interview at the postpartum days 5, 14 and 28. Data were analyzed by chi-square, fisher, variance analysis with repeated scores, correlation and regression tests using SPSS software. There were significant correlation between fatigue in the 37[th] week of pregnancy with postpartum depression in the 5[th] [r=0.651, P=0.045], 14[th] [r=0.651, P=0.045] and 28[th] day [r=1.000, P=0.000]. Also there was a significant correlation between the fatigue in 36[th] week of pregnancy, and postpartum depression in 5[th] day [r=1.000, P=0.000] and also between the fatigue in 14[th] day of postpartum and postpartum depression in 28[th] day [r=1.000, P=0.000]. Expression of fatigue at the end of pregnancy and postpartum period is related to postpartum depression. Fatigue in pregnant women must be considered as a predicting factor of postpartum depression