Maternal depressive symptomatology during pregnancy is a risk factor affecting newborn’s health: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression symptomatology in pregnant women is a condition that represents an important risk factor for the health of both women and children.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of women’s depression symptomatology on the clinical aspects of their delivery, both directly and indirectly, through mothers’ prenatal attachment to their unborn children. Moreover, we analysed whether these aspects affect the well-being of the newborn, assessed through the Apgar score.

Methods: A longitudinal design was carried out on a total of 203 pregnant women. At weeks 31–32 of gestation, women filled out the Beck Depression Inventory and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory. The day of childbirth, hospital healthcare staff registered the clinical data of childbirth.

Results: A woman’s depressive symptomatology negatively affects prenatal attachment to her unborn child and positively affects the clinical aspects of the delivery, both directly and mediated by the quality of prenatal attachment. Moreover, the Apgar score was negatively influenced by the clinical aspects of the delivery and, indirectly, by the depressive symptomatology.

Conclusion: Depressive symptomatology during pregnancy has negative outcomes, affecting the delivery experience of women, the first emotional bond with the child, and the well-being of the newborn.

KEYWORDS:

• Maternal depression
• prenatal attachment
• delivery experience
• newborn health
• longitudinal study

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr Valeria Castagna for her help with data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.