A winter baby helps mothers avoid the blues
Traditional wisdom turned on its head as study finds family and friends rally round in colder months
A study has shown that women who give birth in winter and spring are less likely to suffer “baby blues”.
Researchers believe that friends and family are more likely to rally around and help as the weather turns colder and will also be on hand to offer greater psychological support.
WINTER can be a gloomy time for many, but for new mothers, darker days may bring an unexpected benefit – a decreased risk of postnatal depression.
A study has shown that women who give birth in winter and spring are less likely to suffer the “baby blues” than those who have babies at more clement times of year.
It may seem counter-intuitive but researchers believe that friends and family are more likely to rally round and help as the weather turns colder and are on hand to offer greater psychological support. In contrast social engagements often pick up in the summer months, leaving new mums feeling abandoned, or trapped at home.
Dr Jie Zhou, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, which is attached to Harvard Medical School, said: “We wanted to find out whether there are certain factors influencing the risk of developing post-partum depression that may be avoided to improve women’s health both physically and mentally.”
Researchers also found that other factors influencing postnatal depression were length of pregnancy, having an epidural and body mass index (BMI).
Women who gave birth early were more likely to suffer depression. At least 10 per cent experience some degree of anxiety or depression after giving birth. Symptoms include sadness, restlessness, and lack of concentration.
Postnatal depression typically arises from a combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustments, and fatigue, said US researchers.
The team reviewed the medical records of 20,169 women who delivered babies between June 2015 and August 2017. Of the total, 817 (4.1 per cent) suffered from depressed mood. Dr Zou added: “We have a few theories. Delivery will typically confine mothers to indoor activities with newborn babies which occurs more naturally for women in winter. The [winter] holiday season is also very enjoyable.
“Literature has also linked post-natal depression to Vitamin D. Its storage may deplete in a few months without proper supplement or sun exposure, which could be related.”
The NHS labels depression after birth which lasts less than two weeks as “baby blues” and any longer as postnatal depression. If untreated it can become a long term problem.
Recent research has shown that one in 25 new fathers also become depressed after having a baby.
The study also found that a longer pregnancy reduced the risk while not having an epidural anaesthetic during delivery increased it. Delivery mode had no effects. The findings were presented at the Anesthesiology 2017 annual meeting in Boston.