UTILIZING THE EDINBURGH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION SCALE IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER TO DECREASE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Background: Research has demonstrated depression is increased in the third trimester of pregnancy. This project aimed to determine if screening for depression in the third trimester could decrease the incidence of postpartum depression. Participants/Setting: This pilot project consisted of thirteen pregnant women between 18-35 years, who received prenatal care at a small community clinic in Southern California. Methods: Participants were given the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during their third trimester of pregnancy. Results: None of the intervention group participants screened at risk for postpartum depression, as evidenced by all receiving total EPDS scores of