Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Depression during pregnancy could affect the mother's health and breastfeeding efficacy. The present study determined the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) on treating postpartum depression(PPD) in mothers after childbirth. It searched the Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, Magiran & SID databases to access relevant documentation. 

The study observed-

• Retrieval of 621 titles, of which 12 qualified after the qualitative synthesis. 
• A statistically significant beneficial effect of CBT sessions compared to routine postpartum care on long-term management of postpartum depression.
• A pooled effect size with Body image disturbance (BID) instrument as -6.32 at three months, with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as -2.83 and -2.81 at 3 and 6 months, respectively.

This study shows that CBT is an effective therapy for treating postpartum depression; however, the evidence available is limited. It can be employed as an effective psychological treatment without the side effect of drugs in PPD.

Haseli A, Mohammadi S. The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Postpartum Depression: A Review and Meta-Analysis Study. International Journal of Health studies. 2019;5(4). DOI:  https://doi.org/10.22100/ijhs.v5i4.709