Depression at Pregnancy and Pre-term Delivery

Filed in archive Medical Issues on October 25, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Aldo Murillo

Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy wonderful time. But what if you are depressed? According to a new study, depression at pregnancy can double the risk of pre-term delivery.

Depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery compared to pregnant women with no symptoms of depression, a new study shows.

The study, released Thursday, found that pregnant women with symptoms of depression have an increased risk of preterm delivery, and that the risk grows with the severity of the depressive symptoms.

The findings also provide preliminary evidence that social and reproductive risk factors, obesity and stressful events may exacerbate the depression-preterm delivery link, the researchers said.

When having a baby one can find too many reasons to be happy, thankful and blessed. Well unless one is clinically depressed which is a totally different story.