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Chapter 10 - Depression

from Section 2 - Maternal Mental Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2026

By
Lucy C. Barker ,
Cindy-Lee Dennis  and
Simone N. Vigod
Edited by
Liz McDonald ,
Roch Cantwell  and
Ian Jones
Liz McDonald
Affiliation:
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Roch Cantwell
Affiliation:
Perinatal Mental Health Service and West of Scotland Mother & Baby Unit
Ian Jones
Affiliation:
Cardiff University
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Summary

Depression is common in the perinatal period and is linked to negative consequences for pregnant and postpartum women and other childbearing individuals and their families, including the potential for long-term adverse outcomes in children. While the clinical approach to depression in pregnancy and postpartum is similar to that of the non-perinatal period in many ways, specific considerations include the role of reproductive hormones in the aetiology of the disorder, unique psychosocial stressors that may precipitate or perpetuate symptoms, and the safety of psychotropic medication in pregnancy and lactation. This chapter is an overview of depression in pregnancy and the first year postpartum, including a summary of its epidemiology, theories about aetiology, presentation, course, outcomes and an approach to management.

Keywords

DepressionPostpartum depressionAntenatal depressionUnipolar depressionPregnancy

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Chapter
Information
Seminars in Perinatal Psychiatry , pp. 165 - 185
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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