{
  "abstract": "Background While 17% of new mothers experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), emotional distress is more widespread in the postpartum period. This descriptive study described item-level responses on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to better understand common postpartum experiences.Methods We analysed EPDS data from 170 218 childbirths (2015–2021) in the Danish HOPE cohort collected during routine postpartum visits. We described the distribution of responses to each item and total scores.Results Most mothers reported mild or no symptoms. Items on self-blame, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed showed large variation. Self-harm thoughts were rare (1.7%). The median total score was 4 (IQR 2–7); 7.8% scored ≥11, indicating possible PPD.Discussion Diverse emotional responses are common postpartum and often reflect normal adjustment. Item-level insights may help reduce stigma and support open dialogue around maternal mental health.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Centre for Register-Based Research, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark",
        "Centre for Integrated Register-Based Research, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Mette-Marie Zacher Kjeldsen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark",
        "Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Sofie Egsgaard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit for Digital Psychiatry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Anja Friis Elliott"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark"
      ],
      "name": "Trine Munk-Olsen"
    }
  ],
  "title": "How common are postpartum depressive thoughts and feelings? Item-level distribution of population-based screening records",
  "uid": "22781904-9666-549a-a14a-aa958806a7d0"
}