Suicidality in the Perinatal Period

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess suicidality in a non-clinical sample during the perinatal period and to report suicidality rates in women with major and minor depressive episode (Mmd) during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Method: 1066 women recruited at the 3rd month of pregnancy and followed until the 12th month postpartum (N=500). Suicidality were assessed with the MOODS-SR and with the item 10 of the EPDS at different time-points during the perinatal period. Results: The period prevalence of suicidality was 6.9% (95%CI: 6.0-7.8) during pregnancy and 4.3% (95%CI: 3.4-5.2) during the postpartum assessed with the MOODS-SR, and was 12.0% (95%CI: 10.8-13.2) during pregnancy and 8.6% (95%CI: 7.4-9.8) during the postpartum period assessed with the EPDS. The prevalence of suicidality in women who had a MmD during pregnancy was 26.4% and 34.1% assessed with the MOODS-SR and the EPDS respectively while it was of the 18.4% (MOODS-SR) and 30.6% (EPDS) during the postpartum period Conclusion: Clinicians should assess suicidality in women presenting with MmD during the whole perinatal period. Furthermore, suicidality should be assessed in women with a previous history of psychiatric disorder that reported a lifetime suicidal ideation in order to prevent poor postpartum outcomes. Significant Outcomes • The prevalence of suicidality was two-fold higher if it was assessed with the EPDS both during pregnancy (12.0% vs. 6.9%) and during the postpartum period (8.6% vs. 4.3%) than if it was assessed with the MOODS-SR. • Having a minor or major depressive episode during pregnancy increase the risk of reporting suicidality during the postpartum period. • Reporting suicidality in the lifetime is associated with suicidality both during pregnancy than during the postpartum period. Limitations • The prevalence of suicidality may be underestimated because of women who have required it, had the possibility to receive psychological counselling and/or a drug treatment. • Over half of the participants (53.1%) did not complete the follow-up. • Participants were predominantly highly educated and employed.