BMJ  2005;331 (2 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7507.0-a

Prevention of postpartum depression should start after delivery

Current evidence shows that preventive psychosocial and psychological interventions—analysed together—do not significantly reduce rates of postpartum depression, but some interventions show more promise than others. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Dennis (p 15) included 15 trials with 7697 women and showed that the interventions reduced the rates of depression but the results did not reach significance (relative risk 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.65-1.02). The only intervention that had a clear effect was intensive postpartum support by a health professional, and exclusively postpartum interventions were more successful than the interventions that also incorporated a prenatal component. Also, individual therapy proved more effective than group therapy.

Credit: MOTHER & BABY/EMAP

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Relevant Article

Psychosocial and psychological interventions for prevention of postnatal depression: systematic review

Cindy-Lee Dennis
BMJ 2005 331: 15. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]