Depression during Perinatal Period and Its Relation to Maternal Bonding: Prospective Cohort Study

Document Type : Original Article

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Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: Perinatal depression is a serious mental health issue that many women experience. The formation of a healthy mother bonding can be hindered by the hopelessness, impatience, and lack of interest that women suffer from depression. This study aimed to assess and identify the potential risk factors of depression during perinatal period and evaluate its relation with mother bonding in women receiving perinatal care.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 102 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Abokabeer Medical Center. They were followed from the third trimester till two months post-natal. Data was collected by using three questionnaires. Pregnant women were assessed for socioeconomic status, depression during late pregnancy and PPD and maternal bonding.

Results: Women suffered from depression in late pregnancy were 16 (15.7%) of the studied group. Women suffered from PPD were 26 (25.5%) women. PPD was significant among women with higher socioeconomic status, working mothers, mothers with history of depression, mothers with preterm babies, mothers with baby complications and maternal complications. Poor maternal bonding was reported in (21.6%) of the studied group. PPD strongly affect maternal bonding (p value <0.001) with (95.5%) women with poor bonding had PPD.

Conclusion: Depression is a greater risk during perinatal period. About one quarter of the studied group complained of depression. This study identifies a range of maternal, socioeconomic, and clinical factors that independently contribute to depression. Late pregnancy postpartum depression has a strong correlation with postpartum depression scores. In addition PPD strongly affects the postpartum bonding.

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Zagazig University Medical Journal
Volume 31, Issue 6
June 2025
Pages 2432-2445

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