Factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms among women who conceived with infertility treatment

Abstract

Infertility treatment experiences may accumulate and influence postpartum psychological well-being among women with infertility. However, the association between infertility treatment experiences and postpartum depressive symptoms remained unclear. This cross-sectional survey aimed to describe depressive symptom scores of 180 women, who conceived while undergoing infertility treatment, at 2-6 months after childbirth, and to explore factors, including infertility history and treatment experiences, associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. Data were collected via telephone interviews and patient record reviews. Postpartum depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with a cutoff score of 10. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 34.4 %. Higher perceived stress levels after childbirth than before undergoing infertility treatment, a duration of infertility diagnosis longer than three years, maternal age >35 years, pregnancy conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and experiencing all three lines of infertility treatment, namely ovarian stimulation, intrauterine insemination, and IVF, were associated with a higher risk of postpartum depressive symptoms. Breastfeeding, social support, and baby sex in line with stated preference were negatively associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. There were no significant interactions between the variables. The women's infertility history and treatment experiences were found to have influenced their postpartum depressive symptoms, especially among women who had a long duration of infertility, conceived through IVF, and had received all lines of infertility treatment.

Keywords: Cross-sectional survey; In vitro fertilization; Infertility; Maternal depression; Postpartum depression.