Objectives: The purpose of the study was to identify factors increasing or decreasing the risk for postpartum blues. Material and methods:A total of 101 women in their first week postpartum were included in the study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, questions concerning their medical and social status, and psychological tests (the Neo-Five Factor Personality Inventory NEO-FFI, the Mieczysław Plopa and Jan Rostowski Marriage Questionnaire, and the Berlin Social Support Scales) were used.Results: The probability of postpartum blues was detected in 16.8% of the respondents. The risk decreased with higher satisfaction with intimacy (OR = 0.81), partner similarity (OR = 0.78), and the overall satisfaction with the relationship (OR = 0.94), while higher disappointment elevated that risk (OR = 1.12). As far as social support is concerned, further independent factors included perceived available social support (OR = 0.31), perceived instrumental social support (OR = 0.24), need for support (OR = 2.74), and protective buffering support (OR = 3.41). High level of neuroticism as well as fear of childbirth increased the risk for postpartum blues (OR = 2.17 and OR = 1.30, respectively). High level of extraversion and better quality of sleep constituted protective factors (OR = 0.74 and OR = 0.60, respectively). Conclusions:Maternal disappointment with marriage/relationship, neuroticism and introversion, poor quality of sleep, fear of childbirth, and seeking social support are among the factors signaling the need for careful observation for signs of possible postpartum mood disorders both, during hospitalization and the follow-up visits.

A history of premenstrual syndrome and a higher risk of affective disorder soon after a childbirth are associated with greater chances of depressive symptoms in the second month postpartum. This is also the case if a patient is neurotic and has a relative with a history of any psychiatric disorder. Such women should have their mental status carefully evaluated.

New mothers who are neurotic and who suffered from physical or mental problems during pregnancy and puerperium might experience depressive symptoms more easily. They would also protect those close to them from negative information about themselves. A lack of initial breastfeeding and unsatisfactory social support played a similar role.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of risk for postpartum mood disorders in mothers during the early postnatal period and to search for coexisting conditions. Material and methods:We studied 546 women in the first week after delivery. The subjects filled out a questionnaire concerning their health, social and demographic status, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory and the Berlin Social Support Scales.Results: Probable mood disorders affected 15.85% of these patients. The risk increased with a current cesarean section (ORa = 2.54), a higher level of neuroticism (ORa = 1.65), greater fear of childbirth (ORa = 1.18), a lower level of extraversion (ORa = 0.77) and greater need for social support (ORa = 2.68).Conclusions: High level of neuroticism and introversion, as well as higher fear of delivery and the need of social support are among factors increasing the probability of mood disturbances in early postpartum period. A cesarean section might elevate the risk similarly. The mental health of such patients should be carefully examined.

The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Poland is unsatisfactory. Women should have easy access to prenatal classes with the most up-to-date knowledge on lactation and be advised against supplementing with formula, whenever possible. This could lead to higher satisfaction with breastfeeding.