Does Pregnancy Depression Lead to Preterm Delivery?
A new study reported in the October 23, 2008, issue of Human Reproduction found a link between pregnancy depression and preterm delivery. For the study, the researchers screened women for depression about 10 weeks into their pregnancies. More than 40% reported having major depressive symptoms, and half of those women reported having severe depressive symptoms. A total of 791 women completed the screening and delivered a live baby. Women with major depressive symptoms were nearly 2 times as likely to deliver a preterm baby (before 37 weeks of gestation). The researchers hypothesized that depression during pregnancy might interfere with placental hormones that help maintain a healthy pregnancy and ensure labor does not happen too soon. F A S T F A C T: In 2005, nearly 12.7 million women aged 18 years and older reported using an illicit drug within the past year.
