31.3 Stepping Toward a Healthier Postpartum

Peripartum depression (PPD) occurs when an individual suffers from depression during pregnancy or after childbirth. PPD can affect the health and quality of life for both mother and child (ie, increased maternal prevalence of suicidal ideation, and the child may suffer from internalizing and externalizing problems, depression, and lower cognitive performance throughout childhood). Exercise during the postpartum (PP) period significantly reduces PP depressive symptoms. There is a dearth of literature evaluating if there is a relationship between activity level during pregnancy and PP mood disorders.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research