Investigation of moods of mothers during prepartum and postpartum period

Aim: This study has been done with the aim of determination of the moods of prepartum and postpartum of mothers, the frequency of postpartum depression and possible risk factors.Material and method: This study has been done on mothers who applied to Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Dicle University?s Faculty of Medicine for routine pregnancy follow-up between June 2007 and January 2008. The study has included those who applied for a routine follow-up, without known health or pregnancy problem and those who are in their third trimester. In the first three months postpartum after the birth, mothers were called again for a negotiation. During the prepartum and postpartum period, mothers were asked to complete a survey in which Beck Depression Index (BDI), STAI 1 (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), STAI 2 and sociodemographic variables were saved.Results: Averages of prepartum scores of mothers participating in our work were identified as BDI: 13.9±7.7, STAI: 1 40.4±11.0, STAI 2: 43.9±7.4. Averages of postpartum scores have been found as BDI: 13.3±8, 2, STAI 1: 40.0±11.2, STAI 2: 42.9±8. In accordance with BDI, those who were in prepartum depression were %30.6 and in postpartum depression were %28.6. Prepartum being %10.2 and postpartum %6.1, a severe perinatal depression at the rate of %12.2 was detected. The change of mothers? feeling states between prepartum and postpartum was found statistically significant (p=0.002). It has been determined that in accordance with STAI 1 %49 of prepartum and %51 of postpartum and with STAI 2 %75.5 of prepartum and %67.3 postpartum, mothers got scores more than the threshold value.Conclusion: Health staff, doctors and family doctors in particular should check up the mothers, whom they are following in pregnancy and postpartum period, in terms of depression. Required screening tests must be applied to suspected cases, the information should be given, and psychotherapy should be applied, if necessary pharmacological treatment options should be reviewed.Keywords: Prepartum, Postpartum, Anxiety, Depression