A new study published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with unplanned pregnancies are four times more like to suffer from postpartum depression after 12 months postpartum.

The study, which was done at the University of North Carolina’s prenatal clinics, questioned roughly 1,000 women about their pregnancy intention at 15-19 weeks gestational age. From there, women were classified as having an intended, mistime or unwanted pregnancy.: 433 women (or 64%) said that had an intended (planned) pregnancy, 207 (or 30%) said they were having a mistimed pregnancy (also classified as an unwanted pregnancy) and 40 women (6%) admitted they were having an unplanned pregnancy. In total, researchers analyzed data for 688 women at three months postpartum and 550 women at 12 months postpartum.

Results from the study show that postpartum depression was more likely in women with unintended pregnancies at both three months and twelve months: at three months, women were 11% more likely to have PPD and at 12 months, they were 12% more likely. The heightened risk at 12 months postpartum shows that this grouping of women have a longer-term risk of depression. When researchers factored in age, education level and poverty status, women with unintended (unplanned) pregnancies were still twice as likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

Dr. Rebecca Mercier from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina and co-author of the research said, “While many elements may contribute to postpartum depression, the results of this study show that unintended pregnancy resulting in live birth could also be a contributing factor.”

Mercier and her team of researchers also concluded that unintended pregnancy may have a long term effect on maternal well being, prompting clinicans to consider pregnancy intention visits and to offer appropriate support both during and following pregnancy for new moms. Mercier went on to say, “Simple, low-cost screening interventions to identify women at risk could allow targeted intervention when appropriate and could potentially prevent complications from future unintended pregnancies.”

Did you have an unplanned pregnancy? How did it affect you?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Spot the Warning Signs of Postpartum Depression

Am I at Risk for Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum Depression: Resources You Need

Baby’s birth involves a few hundred — no, thousand — feelings for mom! You’re in love, all over again, with a tiny baby you’ve been growing inside of you; you’re nervous; you’re suddenly aware that life is just more than sleeping in on Saturdays and a good manicure. But for some moms, baby’s birth also brings with it tons of feelings of fear, anxiety and sadness.

Moms who experience the baby blues aren’t alone. So many other mothers are experiencing it too, and studies show that that postpartum depression in mothers six weeks after delivery is on the rise.  According to the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing, skin-to-skin contact between baby and mother may be an alternative therapy moms (who wish to avoid taking medication) can try.

During the study, researchers found that moms who provided six hours of skin-to-skin contact in the first week, followed by at least two hours over the course of the next month, reported fewer symptoms of depression. Saliva samples taken from these mothers also recorded lower cortisol levels than mother who did not have skin-to-skin contact with baby.

Another relevant study by the journal Pediatrics found that skin-to-skin contact for even three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43%. The surprising percentage significantly reduces stress for a first time or new mom who is unsure of the best ways to soothe baby.

But the benefits aren’t just for mama –for baby, skin-to-skin contact can help satisfy the need for human contact, as well as promotes body between the infant and mother. Skin-to-skin also release oxytocin in mom, which helps mom and infant attachment and increases the feeling of well-being and relaxation.

Did you experience the baby blues after birth?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Tips for Avoiding Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Treatments?

10 Biggest New Mom Surprises (and How to Deal)

I recently read about a poll that suggested stay-at-home moms are more likely to be depressed than their working mom counterparts. This was doubly true in SAHMs in lower-income households. This does not surprise me at all. What’s more, I think this situation applies to more women than just those who label themselves SAHMs. After all, aren’t most new moms at home in the beginning, at least as long as our maternity leave lasts?

When I was a new mom, a feeling I remember well was dread at the start of each day. I adored my baby, and I don’t think I suffered from anything more than a normal case of the baby blues. But each morning I would drag my sleep-deprived self out of bed at the last possible minute before my husband left for work and think, “Now what? How am I supposed to fill the day?”

Being at home with a needy, nonverbal person was a huge change from getting dressed and going to an office every day with other grownups. After the novelty of being a new mom wore off, I was lonely at home. And bored. Every day was exactly like the one before, give or take a diaper or two.

At first, I tried to force myself to go out — to mother’s groups, baby yoga, the mall. But this was exhausting, not to mention expensive. I once saw another study about how new moms often rack up credit card debt. No shocker there: shopping is one of the few things you can do while pushing a stroller and not being too far from a bathroom or coffee shop. And it’s easy to shop online during 3 a.m. feedings!

Eventually, I settled into a better routine. I started going to the gym regularly. It was great to be able to drop off the baby at the gym daycare for an hour and take a yoga class and take a shower by myself. Or to just sit on the mats and read magazines. I also joined Stroller Strides, a mom-and-baby exercise class that had social benefits as well as physical. The moms would often hang around after class and chat. Plus, classes were held outdoors in nice weather. Getting out of the house helped a lot, and I realized it didn’t always have to be to the mall or Starbucks or somewhere that cost money. A nearby playground or library is just fine, too.

My advice for new moms who are unhappy at home is to think about what would make you feel better. If you’re craving company, can you invite another SAHM in the neighborhood over for lunch or coffee? If you’re desperate for some solitude, can you swap childcare for a hour or two with a friend or relative? If you just want to get out of the house, is there a kids’ storytime or sing-along at a local library?

I found that having a few things to look forward to each week made a big difference in my happiness. And in my credit card bill.

Did you deal with baby blues? What did you do to help yourself stay happy as a new mom?

I’m a new mom and I’m experiencing some postpartum depression. There are a few things I think contributed to my developing it. First of all, I’m prone to anxiety and depression and have struggled in the past with social anxiety. While I was pregnant, I had a secret concern that I would wind up with a touch (or more) of postpartum, but I didn’t tell anyone. That wasn’t the best decision. Second is the fact that I had to go on bed rest.

Because I started developing blood pressure issues, my doctor told me I couldn’t work any more — that was three weeks before I’d intended to stop working. It wasn’t strict bed rest — it was more like ‘take it easy and keep your feet up’ bed rest — but if you know me, you’d know that was not a good moment. I don’t like to sit. I don’t like to take it easy. Heck, I can hardly sit through a whole movie! It was a tough three weeks for me.

Finally, my son Connor was born. And I was off work for another six weeks — that’s nine weeks total of sitting at home! In the beginning, we had many visitors, but after a while the visiting slowed a bit. I found myself crying. Sometimes when Connor would cry, we’d both be crying. I’d snap at my husband for no reason. I felt like a bad mom for feeling the way I did — I’d secretly wish someone would come stay with us and pitch in, so I wouldn’t have to deal with anything.

At the time, I knew that I should’ve called my doctor, but I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t happy. I mean, I had this awesome little dude with me — one we’d had through IVF, so I’d wanted him more than anything — and I felt that no one would understand why I couldn’t be happy at that time.

When I went back to work, things got remarkably better for me. I felt useful and productive again. Obviously, being a mom, you’re very much those things, but I just hadn’t felt it while I was at home. Even though I missed my son while I was at work, having some time apart helped remind me how much I cherish all those little things that make him him.

But, on my 30th birthday, I realized I wasn’t completely better. I’d wanted to have a group of friends over for a party in our yard. That’s what we did, and it was perfect. But when the night was over, I wasn’t able to say that I had a blast. I didn’t really enjoy myself at all actually — I’d just gone through the motions. Then I realized I wasn’t finding joy in much of anything. I wasn’t even looking forward to being Matron of Honor at my best friend’s upcoming wedding. Yes, I’d smile and laugh and enjoy seeing Connor learn and experience new things — but that was it. Nothing else.

I had a good cry and told my husband how I was feeling. He made me promise to call my doctor the following Monday — or that he’d do it himself. Calling meant admitting that I wasn’t happy — that wasn’t easy, but I did it. The nurse I spoke to was, of course, totally understanding and not at all judgmental. She talked to my doctor and called in a prescription for Zoloft.

Just knowing that I rose above and called my doctor — and that I have some medicine that can help — makes me feel better already. I want to be the best mom I can be, and it’s impossible to be that if I’m completely miserable. If you’re feeling this way too, you’re not alone. It’s important to get help and to talk to your doctor as soon as possible — even if you think it’s just a small “touch” of depression or the blues. And most importantly, under no circumstances does it mean you’re a bad mom. Hang in there.

Have you struggled with the baby blues or postpartum depression? How did you get through it?

This is some sad, and possibly true, news. New research suggests that moms who deal with depression could affect their children’s height.

The study, conducted by Professor Pamela J. Surkan of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, surveyed more than 6,000 mothers who suffered from moderate to severe depression after giving birth. Researchers tracked the growth of their children until the age of five. They found that those with moms who’d suffered symptoms of postpartum depression were almost 50 percent more likely than their peers to be in the shortest 10 percent of kids their age.

But why would a mom’s mood affect her child’s height? Surkan believes that, “mothers who are depressed or blue might have a hard time following through with caregiving tasks.”

While this study does not delve further into the correlation between depression and growth, it does bring to light a serious issue.

“It raises a red flag for us,” Dr. Andrew Leuchter, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, said. “It’s more evidence that depression in the mom can have negative health effects on the kids. So it really underlines the urgency of treating depression in these mothers so the kids don’t suffer.”

Have you suffered from postpartum depression? How did you cope?

Plus more from The Bump:

Sign of Postpartum Depression: Waking Up Baby

Postpartum Depression

Scary! Fertility Treatments Could Cause PTSD!

Could staying at home with baby put you at higher risk for depression? A new Gallup poll suggests it could. For the poll, women from three different groups — stay-at-home moms, working moms and women without children — were asked questions about their own emotions and lives. Working moms reported similar rates of sadness and anger as women without children did, while stay-at-home moms has slightly higher levels of those emotions. The biggest difference, however, was in stay-at-home moms’ reported feelings of depression. 28 percent of them said they’d felt depressed, while only 17 percent of working moms and 17 percent of women without children did.

Those who seemed to have it worst were those with low incomes. When asked if they were struggling, the women with lower household incomes (under $35,000 per year) were most likely to say they were. The stay-at-home moms who were in the low income category were also less likely to say they smiled or laughed a lot, learned something interesting, experienced enjoyment or experienced happiness than the low-income working moms and low-income childless women did.

Do you work or stay at home? How do you think your employment status affects your happiness?

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Checklist: Decide Whether to Work or Stay at Home

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Back to Work Guide for New Moms

Some people say “never wake a sleeping baby,” but some moms actually do this a lot. And that could be a result of postpartum depression. According to a new study from Penn State University published in Child Development, moms with depression symptoms were worried and anxious about their infants’ sleeping habits at night, and were more likely than moms with fewer or no symptoms to wake their babies and disturb them.

Pediatricians urge parents not to wake their baby if he’s sleeping peacefully, isn’t experiencing distress and doesn’t need a feeding. Experts note that parental depression or excessive worry, disrupts both baby and parents’ sleep and also can lead to problems in the parent-child relationship later on. So why are depressed moms more anxious about baby sleeping at night than other moms? Researchers believe that the mothers’ symptoms of depression are directly related to moms’ lack of confidence in parenting and their emotional state.

The findings were part of a larger analysis, Study of Infants’ Emergent Sleep Trajectories (SIESTA). In the larger study, researchers analyzed data from 45 infants (ranging in age from one to 24 months) and their parents over a week. The mothers kept a sleep diary and also completed two surveys, one about depressive symptoms and the other about moms’ worries about their infants waking up at night. Researchers also set up video cameras where baby slept, at the door to baby’s room and two additional cameras where parents would take their babies at night, to see if the moms’ self-reported behaviors matched up to their survey answers.

If you think you might have postpartum depression, it’s important to seek help immediately. Talk to your doctor asap.

What do you think of these findings? Do you wake your baby up at night? Or worry about baby’s sleeping safety at bedtime?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Postpartum Depression

Is it the Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?

Treatments for Postpartum Depression