Concept

Pregnancy Loss, Premature Birth, and Postpartum Depression Risk

While pregnancy loss (miscarriage or stillbirth) does not increase postpartum depression (PPD) risk in individuals without a history of depression, those with a history of depression are twice as likely to experience recurrent PPD episodes compared to those who deliver a living child. Additionally, individuals who did not want to be pregnant can experience depressive episodes after a miscarriage. Premature birth of a living child increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but shows no statistical association with PPD.

0

1

Updated 2026-07-05

Tags

Psychology

Social Science

Empirical Science

Science

OpenStax

Psychology @ OpenStax

Ch.3 Biopsychology - Psychology @ OpenStax

Ch.1 Introduction to Psychology - Psychology @ OpenStax

Clinical Practice of Psychology

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook