ABSTRACT
Introduction: Postpartum depression is a prevalent disorder with different etiologies, among them mode of delivery. The present study was conducted to determine relationship between mode of delivery and depression in women at 2 and 8 weeks postpartum
Materials and Methods: In this prospective analytic study [2007-2008], a total of 420 women visited at health centers in Amol city who met inclusion criteria were recruited through non-probability sampling and filled the questionnaire of Edinburgh postpartum scale [EPDS] during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women who had EPDS score>12 were excluded. Three hundred cases were followed 2 and 8 weeks postpartum and completed questionnaires on demographics, delivery, postpartum, and infant characteristics and Edinburgh postpartum depression scale. Data were analyzed using by SPSS software, chi-square, T-test, Mann-Whitney, and Linear regression
Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in their education, occupation, economic status, and wanted/unwanted pregnancy, satisfaction from husband and family support. At 2[nd] week postpartum, prevalence of postpartum depression was 10.3% and there was no significant difference between 2 groups. At 8[th] week postpartum the prevalence of depression was 13% and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the mean score of postpartum depression at 2[nd], 8[th] weeks
Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of postpartum depression, the screening, recognition and assessment of this disorder is important. Health care providers should consider educating women during pregnancy and postpartum