In Latvia, 18% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, a rate higher than in other European countries, according to a study conducted by Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and the Riga Maternity Hospital (RDzN).
For comparison, 12.9% of new mothers in Western Europe experience postpartum depression, while in Eastern Europe the figure is 16.6%.
Over the course of a year, all women who came for a follow-up visit to a gynecologist at RDzN’s Outpatient Department between the 4th and 6th week after giving birth were surveyed.
At least 40% of the women involved in the study showed depressive symptoms that reached a clinically significant level. Of the women who initially displayed symptoms of depression or anxiety, 30% declined further consultation or could not be reached for a more in-depth psychiatric evaluation.
Researchers highlight that
the risk of postpartum depression is higher among women who experienced complications during childbirth
or sleep disturbances afterwards. Women with concurrent mental health disorders and those exposed to high stress levels during pregnancy are also considered at risk. Other risk factors include a lack of emotional support from a partner or family during pregnancy and after childbirth, lack of recognition of the mother’s role, low confidence in one’s ability to be a good mother, dissatisfaction with childbirth and postnatal care, as well as low birth weight (under 2.5 kilograms).
One of the strongest protective factors is receiving practical support from a partner or family members both during pregnancy and after childbirth, the researchers note. Some of the identified factors align with findings from other countries, but there are also Latvia-specific factors, such as the mother’s age or first-time pregnancy.
The study determined the prevalence of postpartum depression in Latvia, identified its risk factors, adapted two screening tools, and collected women’s feedback on the proposed new care model.
Detailed findings will be presented to the Ministry of Health, professional associations of family doctors and other specialists, the academic community, NGOs, and the wider public. Scientific publications are also in preparation.
The validated screening tools for depression — the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) — will soon be made publicly available to healthcare professionals, researchers, and the general public, the researchers stated.
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