Objective: Antenatal depression (AD) is frequently cited as a risk factor for cesarean delivery (CD) with limited supporting data.
Study design: We utilized 2016-2018 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey for the state of Rhode Island. Nulliparous women who reported AD (n=242) were compared to women who did not (n=1,081). Maternal demographics, pregnancy and delivery characteristics were compared by AD status using population-weighted bivariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: 17.7% reported AD, and 34% underwent CD. There was no difference in CD based on reported AD status (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 0.69, 1.56). However, there were significant differences between those reporting AD compared to those who did not: less education, more public insurance, use of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, tobacco use, and pre-gestational hypertension/diabetes.
Conclusion: In this large, population-based, state representative sample, we found no difference in CD among recently delivered nulliparous women with and without AD.
Keywords: antenatal depression; cesarean delivery.