The winter can be a gloomy time for many, but for new mums, the darker days may bring an unexpected benefit – a decreased risk of post-natal depression.
An intriguing new study has shown that women who give birth in winter and spring are less likely to suffer the ‘baby blues’ those who have babies at more clement times of year.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, 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 & 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 postpartum depression that may be avoided to improve women’s health both physically and mentally.
“We have a few theories. Delivery will typically confine mothers to indoor activities with the newborn babies. It is naturally occurring for postpartum women in winter. Holiday season in the winter is very enjoyable.
“Literature has linked postpartum depression to Vitamin D. Its storage may deplete in a few months without proper supplement or sun exposure, which could be related.”
Researchers also found that other factors influencing post-natal depression were length of pregnancy, having an epidural and body mass index (BMI).
Women who gave birth early were more likely to suffer depression. The same was true of heavier women and
At least 10 per cent of women experience some degree of anxiety or depression after giving birth.
Symptoms include sadness, restlessness, and lack of concentration. Post-natal depression typically arises from a combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustments to motherhood, 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.
Why giving birth in winter or spring should have a positive effect is not known but could be linked to the “seasonal enjoyment of indoor activities mothers experience with newborns,” said the researchers.
“The influence of season on the incidence of post-natal depression may be due to better care and more psychological support from other people in harsh weather situations,” they concluded.
The NHS labels depression after birth which lasts under two weeks as ‘baby blues’ and any longer as post-natal depression. Left untreated it can become a long term problem.
Recent research has shown that 1 in 25 new fathers also become depressed after having a baby.
The study also found that a longer pregnancy reduced the risk of post-natal depression while not having an epidural anaesthetic during delivery increased it.
Caucasian women were less likely to experience post-natal depression than women of other races, the research showed. Delivery mode had no effects.
The findings were presented at the Anesthesiology 2017 annual meeting in Boston.
