Labor Epidural Analgesia and Postpartum Depression

• Main Authors: Catherine D Tobin (Author), Sylvia H Wilson (Author), Latha Hebbar (Author), Laura L Roberts (Author), Bethany J Wolf (Author), Constance Guille (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Depression and Anxiety - Peertechz Publications, 2016-11-14.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Epidural labor analgesia may decrease the risk of postpartum depression (PPD).</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: In a secondary analysis of a prospective study, the association between  epidural utilization and PPD was evaluated using a Fisher's exact test. PPD was defined  as an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression score of >  10 at 6-8 weeks postpartum.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: 20% (13/65) of women meet criteria for PDD. 24% (n=12/50) of women who received epidural labor analgesia developed PPD, compared to 6.7% (n=1/15) of women who did not receive epidural labor analgesia (P  = 0.27).</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Labor epidural analgesia did not reduce the risk of postpartum depression. </p>

DOI

10.17352/2455-5460.000014