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Is difficult childbirth related to postpartum maternal outcomes in the early postpartum period?

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Abstract

Unplanned, adverse events during labor or delivery may generate a negative response during the early postpartum period, resulting in disruption of usual functioning and mood. High levels of maternal depressive symptoms are associated with parenting, infant attachment, behavioral problems and cognition (Beck 2002). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of adverse events in labor or delivery and depressive symptoms, functional status and infant care at 2-weeks postpartum. The secondary aim was to explore the role of social support as a possible moderator in the relationship between adverse birth events and maternal outcomes. A secondary analysis of data (n = 123) was performed using data collected in a prospective, observational study examining the effects of antidepressant use during pregnancy. Adverse events did not significantly predict depressive symptoms (odds ratio = 1.34, p = .536), functional status (R2 change = .001, p = .66), or infant care (R2 change = .004, p = .48) at 2-weeks postpartum when controlling for depression during pregnancy, antidepressant use at delivery, education level, age, and parity. Social support had significant effects on depressive symptoms (p = .02), functional status (p = .014), and infant care (p < .001) but did not moderate the effect of adverse events when predicting depressive symptoms (odds ratio = 1.01, p = .045), functional status (R2 change = .009, p = .056) and infant care (R2 change < .001, p = .92). Adverse events did not predict maternal outcomes at 2-weeks postpartum. Social support was related to depressive symptoms, functional status and infant care, but did not moderate the effects of adverse events.

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Acknowledgements

ADUP was supported by NIH-NIMH-R01- 60335. The authors would like to acknowledge Susan Sereika, PhD, for her statistical support and consultation during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Chatham University, 118 Coolidge Hall, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA

    Diane F. Hunker

  2. College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 358 Newton Hall, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Thelma E. Patrick

  3. School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 350 Victoria Building, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Susan A. Albrecht

  4. Women’s Behavioral Healthcare, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Katherine L. Wisner

Authors
  1. Diane F. Hunker
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  2. Thelma E. Patrick
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  3. Susan A. Albrecht
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  4. Katherine L. Wisner
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Correspondence to Diane F. Hunker.

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Hunker, D.F., Patrick, T.E., Albrecht, S.A. et al. Is difficult childbirth related to postpartum maternal outcomes in the early postpartum period?. Arch Womens Ment Health 12, 211–219 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0068-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0068-3

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