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Previous induced abortion and ante-natal depression in primiparae: preliminary report of a survey of mental health in pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

R. Kumar  and
Kay Robson
R. Kumar*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Kay Robson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. Kumar, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

One hundred and nineteen primiparae, who were routinely attending ante-natal clinics, were interviewed repeatedly between the 12th and 36th weeks of their pregnancies. The incidence of depression was highest in the first trimester and, overall, about a fifth of the sample was found to be suffering from clinically significant neurotic disturbances. In a proportion of these expectant mothers there was an association between depression and anxiety early in pregnancy and a previous history of induced abortion; this phenomenon may reflect a reactivation of mourning which was previously suppressed.

Type
Preliminary Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , November 1978 , pp. 711 - 715
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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