Maternal Psychological Distress: Care Trajectories and the Impact on Children

Lead researcher : Amélie Boutin^1,2

Co-researchers : Emmanuel Bujold^1,2, Gina Muckle^1,2,5, Marie-Claude Geoffroy^3,4, Sylvana M. Côté^5,6.

Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
CHU de Québec/Université Laval Research Centre, Québec, QC, Canada
McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
Centre de recherche du CHU Ste-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

Study abstract :

Suicide is the primary cause of maternal mortality in the year following birth, with a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 0.68 per 100,000 live births. This exceeds other specific direct causes, such as puerperal infections (serious postpartum uterine infections) (MMR=0.63) or hypertensive pregnancy disorders like pre-eclampsia (MMR=0.47). Yet suicide is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of maternal psychological distress. Affecting nearly one in four pregnancies, it is associated with unfavourable outcomes (premature births, stillbirths, low weight for gestational age, pre-eclampsia, etc.) and instrumental or Caesarean births.

In order to adequately and effectively respond to the issue of maternal psychological distress, we urgently need data to better understand the health trajectories and outcomes for both mothers and children.

Objectives of the proposed project:

Evaluate the frequency of psychological distress and suicidality during pregnancy and six months postpartum;
Evaluate the association between psychological distress and suicidality during pregnancy and the state of maternal, fetal and neonatal health;
Identify the factors associated with psychological distress.

This longitudinal study will use data from the PRÉVENTION cohort. Admissible participants are nulliparous women (who have never had children) during the first trimester of their pregnancy (11-14 weeks of amenorrhea) carrying only one baby (monofetal pregnancy) and living in the greater Québec City region.