DETERMINANTS OF POSTNATAL DEPRESSION IN WOMEN WITH INTRAUTERINE FETAL DEMISE

Abstract

Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is a serious complication of pregnancy that influences a woman’s short-term psychological well-being and increases the risk of anxiety and depression during the following few months. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of postnatal depression in women with Intrauterine Fetal Demise and the obstetric, psychosocial and emotional determinants of postnatal depression in them. A prospective observational study was conducted at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute,(BMCRI) among 75 women diagnosed with Intrauterine Fetal Demise(IUFD). They were interviewed postnatally  with a semi structured questionnaire which included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for screening postnatal depression. It was found that mothers who had past history of abortions and Intrauterine Fetal Demise had higher mean scores on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and was found to be statistically significant (P value 0.001 and 0.007 respectively). Women  who did  not  perceive  to  have  social  support  following the diagnosis of Intrauterine  Fetal  Demise  also had higher mean scores on  Edinburgh Postnatal Depression  scores with P value 0.017. On enquiring regarding the mother’s wishes towards the deceased baby, it was found that 92% wished to see the baby, of which 61.3% saw the baby.73.3% of them wished to hold the baby and among them only 14.7% spent time with it.76% wished to keep mementos in its memory and 50.7% wished they be isolated in a separate ward where there are no mothers with healthy neonates during their hospital stay.

Keywords: Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), Postnatal Depression, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS),mother’s wishes towards deceased baby.