engleski

Gestational Weight Gain as a Predictor of Postpartum Depression: A Longitudinal Study

Background and Aims: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods of tremendous physiological and psychological changes that represent a time of vulnerability to mental health difficulties, such as peripartum depression (PPD). PPD is a complex and multifaceted disorder with numerous underlying risk factors. With the proportion of overweight and obesity during the childbearing years rapidly increasing, studies turned to examine maternal weight-related characteristics in relation to PPD. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) might be associated with PPD, but the findings are limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to examine: 1) whether pre- pregnancy BMI and GWG predict postpartum depression symptoms while controlling for sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological factors during pregnancy ; 2) the proportion of women with GWG according to global recommendations. Method: This prospective study was conducted on 267 pregnant women in the third trimester and again at 6–8 weeks postpartum. Participants fulfilled the general data sheet, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), one item on pregnancy body image satisfaction, and EPDS again in postpartum. Pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG were collected from medical records. Results: Results showed that 64.8% of the sample had weight gain outside the recommended for their pre-pregnancy BMI. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that after controlling for sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological variables, GWG was a significant predictor of postpartum depression symptoms. Pregnant women with higher weight gain during pregnancy were at higher risk for depression symptoms 6–8 weeks postpartum. Conclusion: The findings suggest that clinicians should closely monitor women with higher GWG and perform frequent mental health screenings. Individualized prevention programs, weight counseling, and prompt support should be offered to women with higher GWG. Early interventions aimed at optimizing GWG could reduce the risk for PPD, and improve maternal overall health and pregnancy outcomes related to both conditions.

gestational weight gain ; postpartum depression ; pregnancy ; postpartum ; risk factors ; maternal mental health

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