Suicidal Ideation During the Postpartum Period.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between suicidal ideation (SI), 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum with demographic, psychosocial, clinical factors, and depressive/anxiety symptoms (measured 24-48 hours after delivery), among a cohort of postpartum women.


METHODS
This study included 1,073 mothers who gave birth in a large tertiary New York City hospital (2009-2010). Later, self-report SI was assessed using the suicide measure from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and from the Patient Health Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Two percent of participants presented with SI during the first 6 months postpartum. In bivariate analyses, race/ethnicity, nativity, insurance, and language were significantly correlated with SI 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. Screening positive for depression (p = 0.0245) and anxiety (0.0454), assessed 1-2 days postpartum, was significantly correlated with later SI in bivariate analyses, as were antepartum complications (p = 0.001), depressive history (0.001), and self-efficacy (0.045). In adjusted models, antepartum complications (OR = 4.681, 95% CI = 1.99-10.99) and depressive history (OR-3.780, 95% CI = 1.514-9.441) were significantly associated with later postpartum SI. Heightened self-efficacy reduced the odds of later SI (p = 0.050).


CONCLUSION
Findings suggest that SI among a relatively healthy group of new mothers occurs with some frequency. Mothers with a history of depression and antepartum complications may be at increased risk.
['Bodnar-Deren|Susan|S|', 'Klipstein|Kimberly|K|', 'Fersh|Madeleine|M|', 'Shemesh|Eyal|E|', 'Howell|Elizabeth A|EA|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D003863:Depression D019052:Depression, Postpartum D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008403:Mass Screening D009035:Mothers D009519:New York City D049590:Postpartum Period D011247:Pregnancy D011248:Pregnancy Complications D037841:Pregnant Women D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic D012307:Risk Factors D059020:Suicidal Ideation D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D013997:Time Factors
antepartum complications maternal mental health maternal mortality postpartum depression postpartum suicidal ideation postpartum suicide