‌Supportive role of the midwife in preventing postpartum depression

Background : Regarding adverse effects of postpartum depression on mother- neonate relation as well as the relation between the couples, the importance of detecting practical & effective ways to prevent this disorder seems essential. Objective : To determine the supportive role of the midwife in preventing postpartum depression. Methods : In this semi- experimental study & through a systematic randomization 100 primiparus women referred to Esfahan Shahid Beheshty hospital in 2000-2001 were divided into 2 groups of 50. The case group received emotional & informational support of midwife on 2nd & 10th days of postpartum. Finally on 45th day of postpartum the depression of the case group (supported) was compared with the control group (unsupported) using EPDS. Findings: Depression score mean in the supported group was 9.44 ×4.79) and in unsupported group was 12.600×4.67).The difference was statistically significant (P= 0.004). Conclusion : Support is an effective factor in pereventing postpartum depression and presented by midwife it can considerably reduce postpartum depression.