The Association between Birth Satisfaction and the Risk of Postpartum Depression

Abstract

Negative experiences with childbirth might have a negative impact on a woman’s overall health, including a higher risk of postpartum depression. The aim of the study was to examine the association between birth satisfaction and the risk of postpartum depression (PPD). A 30-item version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used, as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The study included 584 women (mean age 30.6 ± 4.9), 2 to 4 days postpartum. In the regression model, the negative effect of birth satisfaction on the risk of postpartum depression was shown: a lower level of satisfaction with childbirth was a significant predictor of a higher risk of PPD (β = −0.18, 95% CI = −0.08; −0.03). The regression model was controlled for the effect of the sociodemographic factors (such as education or marital status) and clinical variables (such as parity, type of delivery, psychiatric history, levels of prenatal stress). Levels of prenatal stress (β = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.27; 0.39), psychiatric history (β = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01; 3.09), parity (β = −0.12, 95% CI = −1.82; −0.32) and type of delivery (β = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.20; 1.94) were also significantly associated with the levels of postnatal depression. The current study confirmed the association between the level of birth satisfaction and the risk of developing PPD, i.e., a lower satisfaction with childbirth may increase the risk of developing PPD.

A cross-sectional study of low birth satisfaction among Iranian postpartum women during COVID-19 epidemics’ fifth wave

“…Previous studies have found that the level of stress experienced during pregnancy and childbirth was significantly associated with birth dissatisfaction (15,18). We found no difference in the levels of fear of COVID-19 between parity or income groups.…”

“…This result may be explained by delays and shortcomings in the implementation of policies and guidelines promoting physiological vaginal birth in our setting. Results from previous studies indicated that cesarean was associated with lower birth satisfaction in comparison with physiological vaginal birth (4,8,18,29,31).…”

“…We found that compared to elective cesarean, emergency cesarean and instrumental birth were better predictors of lower levels of birth satisfaction. This result may be explained by delays and shortcomings in the implementation of policies and guidelines promoting physiological vaginal (4,8,18,29,31).…”

“…It had a statistically significant relationship with depression, suicidal tendencies, and poor psychological quality of life in pregnant women (17). Studies have also found that, just as in the pre-pandemic period, dissatisfaction with childbirth during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with postpartum depression (15, 18). The pandemic has also impacted the organization and the practices of health care provision in the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods.…”

Postpartum Depression, analysis of risk factors and nursing intervention. Literature Review

“…Otros factores de riesgo que pueden aumentar el riesgo de padecer DPP son: estrés (estrés moderado), tipo de parto (parto por cesárea), paridad (primiparidad) y antecedentes psiquiátricos positivos 5 .…”