The pattern of mental change and body weight change in the first post-partum week

Mental symptoms were more severe among women with a previous history of neurotic depression, mood changes during pregnancy, or who had a depression following a previous delivery, for the first seven days post partum.

Abstract

Body weight and mental symptoms were examined in 37 women with normal pregnancies, deliveries, and puerperia, for the first seven days post partum. Mental symptoms were more severe among women with a previous history of neurotic depression, mood changes during pregnancy, or who had a depression following a previous delivery. Weight loss commenced around days four and five, among patients with and without symptoms. Seventeen out of the 28 patients with mental symptoms had a clear cut peak day of mental change, and within this peak group there was a significant trend for the onset of the weight loss and the peak mood day to coincide. Weight loss did not determine whether symptoms were present or not, or their severity, but may have been a factor determining their timing.