Postpartum depression affects up to 15 percent of mothers, leaving them feeling sad, lonely, and inept as mothers. Several studies suggest that the type of delivery might be a cause. British researchers looked more closely at that possibility.

What the researchers wanted to know: Is there a link between the way a baby is delivered and the mother's risk of postpartum depression?

What they did: The researchers asked more than 10,000 British women who had given birth eight weeks before to fill out a questionnaire describing their mood. All of the women had had one baby, by planned cesarean section, unplanned C-section, assisted vaginal delivery, or unassisted vaginal delivery.

What they found: The researchers found no significant relationship between the type of delivery and the incidence of postpartum depression, even in women with a previous history or risk of depression. The researchers had thought that the trauma of an emergency cesarean might put a woman at higher risk for depression, but that was not the case. Prior research also had raised the possibility that a planned cesarean, because it eliminates uncertainty and the fear and discomfort of labor, might protect women from postpartum depression. This study did not find that to be true, either.

What it means to you: How a woman has her baby is unlikely to raise or lower her risk for postpartum depression. So you need not worry that the way you have your baby has implications for your future mental health.

Caveats: The women reported their mood on questionnaires, but were not interviewed by a professional. Using this approach may have increased the likelihood that a woman would say she is depressed, according to research into study methodology. In a study done in such a way, the incidence of depression tends to be overstated. Even so, the conclusion would not be greatly affected; there's no reason to think that women who delivered their babies one way would overreport a depressed mood more often than women did who delivered another way.

Find out more: The National Women's Health Information Center has a website about postpartum depression, including information on symptoms and treatment.

Kidshealth.org, another resource, includes a section on how to care for your baby when you have postpartum depression.

Read the article: Patel, R. R. et al. "Operative Delivery and Postnatal Depression: A Cohort Study." British Medical Journal. Feb. 25, 2005, published online: DOI: 10.1136/bmj.38376.603426.D3

Abstract online: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com