ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between prenatal attachment, maternal anxiety, and postpartum depression. DESIGN AND METHODS: This longitudinal study included 195 pregnant women in their third trimester. FINDINGS: The level of postpartum depression in the sixth week was found to be significantly higher in women older than 31 years, high-risk pregnancies, primipara women, women having a living child outside of the newborn, and in women who experience problems after delivery. Our findings indicated that the level of anxiety and postpartum depression decreased significantly in the sixth postpartum week. Anxiety and depression levels decreased during the weeks following the postpartum period. Furthermore, no significant relationship emerged between prenatal attachment and postpartum depression. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should evaluate psychosocial health in the prenatal and postnatal periods.
