Assessment of difference in postpartum depression among caesarean and vaginally delivered women at 6-week follow-up in hospitals in Pune District, India: an observational cohort study

Objectives To compare the proportion of postpartum depression at 6 weeks among women who had caesarean delivery and women who had vaginal delivery and to assess its association with some sociodemographic factors. Design This is a descriptive comparative study with prospective enrolment. We followed the enrolled women and assessed them for postpartum depression 6 weeks after delivery. Setting We conducted the study in Pune District, India from July 2017 to December 2018. The study sites were all non-teaching government hospitals performing five or more caesarean sections per month and two teaching hospitals: one government and one private. Participants We included in the study group women who have undergone caesarean section in the participating hospitals and were residents of Pune District. Women who delivered vaginally and matched in age and parity were included in the comparison group. We followed 1556 women in each group. Main outcome measures An Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of 10 or more for each woman was the primary outcome. chi(2) test and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed to assess the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum depression. Results The proportion of postpartum depression at 6 weeks was 3.79% among women who had caesarean delivery and 2.35% among those who had vaginal delivery (chi(2)=4.50, p=0.03). The adjusted OR was 1.86 (95% CI 1.14 to 3.03). Women of age less than 25 years had higher risk of postpartum depression. The adjusted OR was 2.10 (95% CI 1.21 to 3.65). The study did not observe any association between postpartum depression and income, education, occupation or sex of the newborn child. Conclusions We conclude that young women particularly those who had caesarean delivery should be screened 6 weeks after delivery.

Automated summary

The study observed a higher proportion of postpartum depression at 6 weeks among women who had caesarean delivery compared to those who had vaginal delivery, with women under the age of 25 having a higher risk of postpartum depression. However, there was no association between postpartum depression and income, education, occupation, or the sex of the newborn child.