Effectiveness of antenatal education about postnatal depression: A comparison of two groups of Japanese mothers

Abstract

The effectiveness of information and practical advice provided during pregnancy about postnatal depression has not been adequately demonstrated. We examined the occurrence of postnatal depression in two groups of childbearing women (attenders v. non-attenders at antenatal informational support groups). Assessments of outcome were made by a three-stage procedure, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a clinical interview at the first consultation, 6 weeks and 12 weeks later. Forty patients were identified as suffering from postnatal depression; 18 of the patients belonged to the attenders and 22 to the non-attenders. The attenders were referred to psychiatrists more quickly after the onset of depression in comparison with the non-attenders (p <0.001). The mean score on the EPDS of the attenders was significantly lower at the first consultation (p <0.001) and still at 6 weeks later (p <0.01) when compared with that of non-attenders. Antenatal information and advice about services for postnatal mental illness has a beneficial outcome in relation to postnatal depression.