Postpartum Depression
Conditions
Brief summary
The long-term goal of this study is to validate a simple and inexpensive intervention to reduce the incidence and impact of Postpartum Depression (PPD). The central hypothesis is that enhancing social support of new mothers specifically via an organized peer get-together will decrease rates of postpartum depression. The rationale for the proposed research is that even though PPD is common and risk factors for developing PPD are known, simple and inexpensive interventions to prevent PPD need to be studied. Postpartum mothers will be recruited for the study and randomized into control versus intervention group. The intervention group will be placed in a peer discussion group. Incidence of PPD will be tracked.
Detailed description
According to a 2014 Cochrane Review, postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 13% of new mothers by twelve weeks postpartum. Infant feeding, sleep routines, growth, and socioemotional and cognitive development can be adversely affected by maternal PPD. These negative effects can last into childhood. Previous studies have shown that strong social support is protective against PPD. The 2014 Cochrane Review on this topic comments that simple, inexpensive interventions to decrease rates of PPD are needed and that interventions led by lay-people and done in groups may be helpful to decrease rates of PPD. More recent studies focus on interventions for mothers already showing symptoms of postpartum depression, not on preventing these symptoms from developing. The proposed work is important, because it capitalizes on recommendations for future research from the 2014 Cochrane Review on Psychosocial and Psychological Interventions for Preventing Postpartum Depression. The proposed work is also innovative, because it involves a preventive intervention from lay-people in a group setting, with new moms benefiting from each other. At the completion of this project, it is our expectation that mothers in the intervention group will have sustained decreased rates of PPD.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPeer discussion group
Subjects in the intervention group will be asked to attend one peer group between four and eight weeks postpartum. Peer groups will be expected to last approximately one hour. Each peer group will include 5-10 new mothers. A facilitator will be present for these groups, but the hope is to have mothers discuss with each other their postpartum experience and activities of their newborn at home.
Sponsors
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Control group and intervention group. Intervention group will participate in peer discussion group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Women who deliver at the Hershey Medical Center 2. Postpartum women within first week after delivery 3. Women who are 18 years of age or older
Exclusion criteria
1. Postpartum women who delivered newborn before 35 0/7 gestational age. 2. Postpartum women whose newborn required any length of stay in the newborn intensive care unit. 3. Postpartum women who do not speak English. 4. Postpartum women who are less than 18 years old. 5. Postpartum women who are unable to provide consent. 6. Postpartum women who were on antidepressant or antianxiety medication or undergoing therapy for depression or anxiety during pregnancy or during postpartum hospitalization.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of development of postpartum depression | 4-8 weeks postpartum | Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale. Score 0-30. Score \> or = 10 considered greater risk of depression. |
| Development of postpartum depression | 12 weeks postpartum | Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale. Score 0-30. Score \> or = 10 considered greater risk of depression. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed