Training mothers how to respond to babies might reduce the risk of depression after giving birth

Researchers at the ECNP Congress in Munich have revealed that prenatal training aimed at enhancing mothers' ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues from babies may reduce the risk of postnatal depression, particularly for women who have previously given birth. Postpartum depression, a severe mood condition affecting approximately one in seven women after childbirth, can have significant impacts on maternal well-being and family dynamics, including suicidal thoughts or actions.

The study, a randomized controlled trial involving 147 pregnant women considered at increased risk, found that while overall results did not reach statistical significance, women with prior childbirth experiences who underwent prenatal affective cognitive training (PACT) had much lower rates of postpartum depression (5.3%) compared to those who received standard care (34.6%).

Study author Anne Juul Bjertrup of the NEAD Centre in Copenhagen suggested that the intervention's success among previously pregnant women may be due to their existing familiarity with the tasks, such as imagining future infant interactions during emotional and cognitive exercises. The researchers emphasize the need for larger trials to confirm these findings, determine the effectiveness of specific intervention components, and identify women most likely to benefit.

Dr. Benedetta Vai, a perinatal psychiatry expert from Italy, noted that the study suggests pregnancy could be a valuable window for preventive treatment, as it may help mothers interpret their baby's cues more positively, potentially fostering a positive and supportive mother-infant relationship from the outset.