Impact of Maternal Depression on Pregnancies and on Early Attachment

Abstract

The relatively high prevalence and duration of depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods reinforce the need for better understanding of maternal depression. The purpose of this article is to explore the main effects of depression to pregnancies' outcome and to early attachment reviewing research from the last decade and to find the best way to prevent the negative effects of maternal depression to infants. Recent studies have reported significant associations between maternal depression and several adverse obstetric, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. Antenatal depression has been associated with shorter gestation and lower birth weight, with consequences for infant development. A number of studies have demonstrated an association between prenatal depression and attachment difficulties, which seems to play an important mediating role in the development of further adverse outcomes for children. This review reveals some potential risks of untreated depression during the antenatal and postnatal periods, with possibly significant implications for practice and further research. Considering the high prevalence of depression, antenatal detection of depressive symptoms and intervention before childbirth has huge importance in prevention. Early interventions also may need to focus on mother-infant interactions as a key factor of later child development.

Brexanolone for Postpartum Depression: Clinical Evidence and Practical Considerations

“…Rates of response (defined as a 50% improvement in symptoms) and remission (defined as the absence of symptoms) for traditional antidepressants are generally 40–60% and 20–35%, respectively . Uncontrolled, untreated PPD has been correlated to increases in preterm birth, restricted fetal growth, and preeclampsia . PPD also impacts neonatal outcomes when it develops in the postpartum period.…”

“…20 Uncontrolled, untreated PPD has been correlated to increases in preterm birth, restricted fetal growth, and preeclampsia. 21 PPD also impacts neonatal outcomes when it develops in the postpartum period. Children of depressed mothers are at an increased risk of impaired cognitive, behavioral, and psychomotor development due to changes in the mother-infant relationship.…”

Course of major depressive disorder after pregnancy and the postpartum period

“…Historically, studies that aim to assess the impact of psychotropic medication in pregnancy have not included rigorous diagnoses of the mothers during pregnancy, nor accounted for the severity of illness experienced during pregnancy. Data suggest that maternal antenatal psychiatric disorders themselves increase the risk of poorer developmental outcomes in children, and should therefore be considered as in utero exposures independent from psychotropic medication exposure (Glover, 2014;Herba, Glover, Ramchandani, & Rondon, 2016;Lefkovics, Baji, & Rigó, 2014;Newport, Wilcox, & Stowe, 2002).…”

Maternal depression and child development: Evidence from São Paulo’s Western Region Cohort Study

“…5 Observational studies have documented many parenting difficulties associated with maternal depression, including increased hostility, fewer and more negative interactions, less responsiveness or less efficiently communication. 9 Postpartum depression similarly interferes with many caregiver activities, including breastfeeding, sleep routines, immunization, and safety practices, 10,11 severely disrupting mother-child relationship. 12 A growing literature has investigated the association between maternal psychological distress and infant outcomes.…”