Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between depression and perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of obstetric patients at a single academic institution. Women with a history of depression were compared to those without depression. Demographics, obstetric history, obstetric interventions, and perinatal outcomes were examined using univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of the 21,756 women in our cohort, 311 (1.4%) reported a history of depression. Depression was not significantly associated with preterm delivery, SGA, LGA, placenta abruption, IUFD, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, or prolonged labor (see Table). Depression was significantly associated with epidural use (OR 1.99, CI=1.3-3.0). These findings persisted in multivariate analyses when controlling for potential cofounders. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of depression were not more likely to experience preterm delivery, fetal growth disorders, or other adverse neonatal or perinatal outcomes. The one positive finding indicated that women with a history of depression were more likely to utilize epidural anesthesia. Overall, these findings can be reassuring to pregnant women with a history of depression.