Obstetrical events at the initial evaluation
Obstetrical characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire at the
maternity department, covering factors known to be associated with PPD
in the literature (see details in (Tebeka et al. (29)). Obstetric data
collected during the first evaluation regarded: infertility, use of
assisted reproductive technology (ART), the existence of a concomitant
chronic physical disease, previous pregnancies, multiple pregnancy, one
or more emergency consultation or hospitalization during pregnancy, or a
complication of pregnancy such as threatened preterm labor, gestational
hypertension or gestational diabetes. Data on delivery included: type of
delivery (vaginal or cesarean, before or during labor), use of obstetric
analgesia and presence of perineal trauma (≥ 2-degree perineal tear).
Information on prematurity (< 37 weeks of gestation), low
birth weight (<2500g), maternal or neonatal transfer to
intensive care, postpartum hemorrhage and breastfeeding were also
collected.
Obstetrical events with a negative impact considered as ”marked” or
”severe” by the woman were considered as stressful.