Neurosteroid replacement therapy may provide relief of symptoms for new mothers suffering from postpartum depression.
Researchers identified a link between breastfeeding and a decreased risk of new mothers developing postpartum depression. The longer a mother breastfed her child, the more the risk of PPD decreased.
Women with postpartum depression report normal olfactory sensitivity, while those who are genetically predisposed to major depressive disorder have decreased olfactory sensitivity.
Breastfeeding has a positive effect on postnatal depression and bonding between mothers and their babies. Breastfeeding also has positive implications for neuroprotection in babies of depressed mothers.
Study reveals one in four women experience symptoms of depression up to three years after giving birth. The risks are greater for women with a history of mood disorders and gestational diabetes.
Women who experience postpartum mental health problems such as depression and anxiety following the birth of their first child are 31% less likely to have more children.
Women who are given a general anesthetic during a cesarean section delivery have a 54% higher risk of developing postpartum depression. The odds of suicidal thoughts or self-inflicting injury increased to 91%. The study points to a potential protective effect on mental health for regional anesthesia during cesarean section compared to general anesthetic.
Chronic stress during pregnancy increases neuroinflammation. The immune changes may create circumstances in the brain, which increase susceptibility to postnatal depression.
Poor prepartum and postpartum physical and mental health was associated with persistent severe sleep problems in their babies.
Researchers identify a group of neurons that are activated by oxytocin in an area of the female brain, but which are not present in the same area of a male mouse brain. Altered expression of these neurons may result in postpartum depression.
Suicides and overdoses made up almost 20% of postpartum deaths in Californian women between 2010 and 2012.
A new study reveals 16% of new mothers who suffered gestational diabetes while pregnant developed postnatal depression symptoms following birth. Only 9% of women who didn't suffer GDM went on to develop PND. Researchers say gestational diabetes could be used as a biomarker for assessing PND risk following birth.
