Risk Factors

Pregnancy and childbirth is an extremely stressful time for many women. Often, more than one risk factor is present at any one time. Risk factors act as stressors that challenge coping skills and at times these overcome a person's resilience. Individuals respond and cope differently with stresses that appear on the surface to be similar to those faced by other people, such as those associated with labour, childbirth or the adjustment to living with a new baby.

Risk factors that have been shown in research studies to be associated with an increased risk of postnatal depression include:

Previous history of depression, bipolar disorder or psychosis

A previous history of a mood disorder is a significant predictor as to whether or not someone will develop postnatal depression. Depression during pregnancy turns into postnatal depression in 40 per cent of women.

Childhood experience

The way in which we experience being cared for by our parents when we were children sets the foundations for many of our patterns of relating through life. Many of us form attitudes about ourselves and our relationships on the basis of these early bonding experiences.

Our own parents can be either positive or negative role models for how we parent and how well we adjust to the role of parenting. Feelings of being inadequate as a mother are often due to self-critical thought patterns learned during childhood, often from one's own parents.

Stressful life events

When stressful events occur around the time of pregnancy or childbirth they can add to already high stress levels. Examples include death of a family member or close friend, loss of employment, migration or relocation away from family and friends, a major illness or relationship problems.

Past and chronic stress

There is evidence to show that growing up in an abusive or uncaring family, or exposure to physical, sexual or emotional abuse can lead to low self-esteem, patterns of social avoidance and vulnerability to depression in later life. Childbirth itself can trigger memories of past events that involved pain or distress including physical and / or sexual abuse.

Insufficient family or social supports

Practical help and social and emotional support allow a new mother to better adjust to life after the birth of a baby. It makes a huge difference if a new mother doesn't get the necessary support to have rest and spend time with her new baby.

Pregnancy loss

After a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination of a pregnancy it is usual for a period of grieving for the loss to occur. If not properly addressed, this can lead to depression.

Childbirth-related distress

Heightened levels of discomfort, pain, stress and anxiety during labour and childbirth are normal especially the first time a woman gives birth. However childbirth-related stress levels can be heightened after delivery of a pre-term or sick baby, an emergency delivery, a long and painful labour and birth or the birth of a baby that is slow to breathe or has an abnormal appearance.

A baby that is restless, difficult to settle, or unwell

Everyone in the family is affected when a baby does not settle easily into routines for feeding and sleeping. Increased levels of fatigue lead to lower levels of emotional resilience for parents. It is important to seek advice from your doctor or child and family health nurse if you are concerned about your baby's sleeping and feeding routines or any other health matter.

Personality type

Different personality traits can influence how particular women react and cope with pregnancy and having a newborn baby. Some personality types are associated with an increased risk of developing depression during pregnancy and after childbirth. For example, if you tend to be a worrier, a perfectionist, self-critical or have low self-esteem, these traits may make it harder for you to adjust to the demands of motherhood.