ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN'S EMOTIONAL STATE IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

Abstract

Aim. To assess the emotional state of women in the postpartum period. Methods. The questionnaire survey method was selected. The online survey was conducted by publishing a public invitation in Facebook groups. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, obstetric-gynecological anamnesis of women, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS package. Data were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results. 221 women with an average age of 30.01 years (SD 4.97) participated in the survey. The majority of surveyed women – 211 (95.5%) gave birth in the last 6 months. More than one-third of women (34.8%, n=77) responding to the EPDS questionnaire were found to be at high risk of postpartum depression, and 22.6% of women (n = 50) had severe anxiety. Women’s age (p=0.045), education (p < 0.001), breastfeeding (p = 0.016) and past psychological or psychiatric illnesses (p=0.007) were significantly differ between depression assessment groups. Women with severe anxiety symptoms were less likely to breastfeed (p = 0.007), they had more frequent psychological or psychiatric experiences in the past (p = 0.001). We did not find any correlations between the gestational age (p = 0.211), the mode of birth (p = 0.330) and the occurrence of postpartum depression. The mode of delivery (p = 0.978) and the gestational age at the time of delivery (p = 0.903) did not influence the intensity of anxiety. Women at high risk of postpartum depression (p < 0.001) or severe anxiety (p < 0.001) had lower self-esteem compared to other groups of women. Conclusions. 1. More than a third of women (34.8%) were found to be at high risk of postpartum depression, and one in five women (22.6%) experienced severe anxiety after giving birth. 2. Women diagnosed with severe anxiety or high risk of postpartum depression have lower self-esteem than those without symptoms of anxiety or depression. 3. We did not find any significant correlations between the woman’s emotional state (experienced intensity of anxiety or the risk of postpartum depression) with the mode of birth or the gestational age. 4. Younger, less educated and non-breastfeeding women are more prone to postpartum depression. Women with severe anxiety symptoms were also less likely to breastfeed their newborns compared to women with moderate anxiety or no anxiety. 5. Women who have experienced psychological/psychiatric experiences in the past are more prone to severe anxiety symptoms or a high risk of postpartum depression.