Pediatricians, obstetricians, and hospital newborn nursery staff are always on alert for the development of maternal postpartum depression. In our offices, we utilize a screening tool — the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale — at each of the first four well child visits. A new study points to a more common occurrence:
A recent study sought to find out how common anxiety after giving birth is among women. The researchers found that anxiety is actually more common than postpartum depression.
The anxiety was more common among first-time moms and those who had cesarean sections.
Postpartum anxiety was also linked to shorter times spent breastfeeding. The authors recommended mothers be screened for postpartum anxiety.
Read more on postpartum anxiety at DailyRx here.
Read abstract of study in Pediatrics here.