Mothers with postnatal depression reluctant to have more than two children

via healthxchange.com.sg

Source: University of Kent | Summary: Mothers who have postnatal depression are unlikely to have more than two children according to research carried out by evolutionary anthropologists. Until now very little has been known about how women's future fertility is impacted by the experience of postnatal depression.

"Mothers who have postnatal depression are unlikely to have more than two children according to research carried out by evolutionary anthropologists the University of Kent and published by Evolution, Medicine and Public Health.

Until now very little has been known about how women's future fertility is impacted by the experience of postnatal depression. A research team from Kent's School of Anthropology and Conservation collected data on the complete reproductive histories of over 300 women to measure the effect postnatal depression had on their decision to have more children. The mothers were all born in the early to mid-20th century and the majority were based in industrialised countries while raising their children.

The team concluded that postnatal depression, particularly when the first child is born, leads to lowered fertility levels. Experiencing higher levels of emotional distress in her first postnatal period decreased a woman's likelihood of having a third child, though did not affect whether she had a second..."

Read more here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160315090249.htm