Purpose: Current data show that maternal mental conditions affect about 10% of pregnant women worldwide. Assessing timing and patterns of mental health illness, therefore, is critical to ensure the wellbeing of the mother, the new-born and the whole family. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest evidence linking maternal mental disorders and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews, a literature search was conducted to ascertain the possible impact of mental health conditions on reproductive outcomes before and during pregnancy. The comprehensive strategy included cohort studies, randomised controlled trials and literature reviews on women with Primary Maternal Mental Illness (PMMI) and Secondary Maternal Mental Illness (SMMI) considering periconceptional, obstetric and foetal-neonatal outcomes. PubMed, WoS, CINAHL and Google scholar were used for the search. Cross-referencing in bibliographies of the selected papers ensured wider study capture.
Results: Evidence linking depressive disorders and infertility among PMMI is weak. Given this, women with prior mental conditions experience additional distress when undergoing fertility treatments. Primary mental disorders may also increase the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications (e.g., gestational diabetes). For SMMI, there is more robust evidence correlating Preterm Birth (PTB) and Low Birth Weight (LBW) with common mental disorders which develop during pregnancy.
Conclusion: Prevention and management of maternal mental health diseases and minor mental conditions within the first 1000 days' timeframe, should have a place in the holistic approach to women going through reproductive decisions, infertility treatment and pregnancy.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05685-1 | DOI Listing |
Dev Psychopathol
January 2025
Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Coordination in mothers' and their infants' parasympathetic nervous system functioning (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA] synchrony) specifically during playful interactions may promote resilience against exposure to postpartum depressive symptoms (PPD), for both members of the dyad.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Public Health
January 2025
Section of Social Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Gothersgade 160, 1123, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background: Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits but social inequality in breastfeeding is documented in many high-income countries. The evidence for improving breastfeeding support through prenatal encounters is conflicting, but points towards a mechanism activated through a positive relationship between the families and their health care providers. A Danish intervention included a home visit by a health visitor during pregnancy to prolong breastfeeding and reduce social inequality in its rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Chronic stress is a major burden in our society and increases the risk for various somatic and mental diseases, in part via promoting chronic low-grade inflammation. Interestingly, the vulnerability for chronic stress during adulthood varies widely among individuals, with some being more resilient than others. For instance, women, relative to men, are at higher risk for developing typical stress-related diseases, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Psychiatr Res
January 2025
School of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272013, China; Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272013, China. Electronic address:
Many studies have explored the relationships between demographic variables and postpartum major depressive disorder. However, there is no clear conclusion on the impact of different marital statuses and quality on postpartum major depressive disorder. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the combined effects of different marital status and quality on postpartum major depressive disorder with cohort studies.
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