Comparison of Postpartum Depression Between High-Risk and Low-Risk Pregnancies

Aim: Postpartum depression represents a major public health concern and is a leading cause of maternal morbidity in the perinatal period. Women with high-risk pregnancies may be particularly vulnerable due to increased physiological stress and psychological burden. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and severity of postpartum depressive symptoms between women with high-risk and low-risk pregnancies using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Materials / Method: This retrospective, observational, and comparative study included 1,955 postpartum women who delivered at Ankara Etlik City Hospital between July and December 2024. Of these, 873 women had high-risk pregnancies and 1,082 had low-risk pregnancies. High-risk pregnancy was defined by the presence of obstetric or maternal systemic complications. EPDS screening was routinely performed between postpartum days 10 and 14, with a score of ≥13 indicating increased risk for postpartum depression. Demographic, obstetric, and EPDS data were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: Women with high-risk pregnancies had significantly higher mean EPDS scores compared with those with low-risk pregnancies (12.30 ± 4.88 vs. 7.36 ± 3.69, p < 0.001). The proportion of women at increased risk for postpartum depression (EPDS ≥13) was markedly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (48.7% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.001). No significant differences in EPDS scores were observed among specific high-risk obstetric subgroups. Conclusion: High-risk pregnancies are associated with a substantially increased prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms, independent of specific obstetric diagnoses. These findings highlight the importance of routine postpartum depression screening and targeted mental health follow-up in women with high-risk pregnancies.