Prenatal cannabis use raised postpartum depression risk by 60%, with higher risk for those with depression history
Among 799 low-income pregnant patients, prenatal cannabis users were 60% more likely to screen positive for postpartum depression, with the risk even higher (62%) for those with a pre-existing depression history.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 799 patients, 15.9% used cannabis during pregnancy. Prenatal cannabis users had 60% higher risk of screening positive for PPD (aRR 1.60, 95% CI 1.05-2.45). Among those with prior depression history, cannabis users had 62% higher risk (aRR 1.62, 95% CI 1.02-2.58). Results were adjusted for age, race, insurance, marital status, and smoking.
Key Numbers
799 subjects; 15.9% prenatal cannabis use; PPD risk: aRR 1.60 (95% CI 1.05-2.45); with depression history: aRR 1.62 (95% CI 1.02-2.58); adjusted for age, race, insurance, marital status, smoking
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort study of 799 patients receiving prenatal care at a single institution (2017-2019). Cannabis use was extracted from medical records. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores were used to identify PPD. Modified Poisson regression estimated relative risks.
Why This Research Matters
Some pregnant people use cannabis to manage depression or anxiety symptoms. This study suggests that rather than helping, prenatal cannabis use may increase the risk of postpartum depression.
The Bigger Picture
Postpartum depression affects both maternal wellbeing and infant development. Identifying prenatal cannabis use as an additional risk factor could improve PPD screening and early intervention.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective design; single institution; cannot determine if cannabis caused PPD or if shared risk factors drive both; low-income population may not generalize; cannabis use ascertained from medical records which may underreport; no data on cannabis type, dose, or timing
Questions This Raises
- ?Does the timing or amount of prenatal cannabis use modify PPD risk?
- ?Would women who quit cannabis during pregnancy have different PPD rates?
- ?Is this association mediated through biological or psychosocial pathways?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 60% higher PPD risk in prenatal cannabis users (aRR 1.60)
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective single-institution cohort with appropriate statistical adjustment and validated PPD screening, but unable to establish causation.
- Study Age:
- 2024 publication analyzing 2017-2019 data
- Original Title:
- Incidence of postpartum depression in low-income cannabis users with and without a history of depression.
- Published In:
- Archives of women's mental health, 27(1), 145-151 (2024)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05466
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use during pregnancy increase postpartum depression risk?
This study found a 60% higher risk of screening positive for postpartum depression among prenatal cannabis users, after adjusting for other risk factors. The risk was slightly higher (62%) for women who already had a history of depression.
Should women with depression avoid cannabis during pregnancy?
The findings suggest yes. Women with a depression history who used cannabis during pregnancy had the highest risk of postpartum depression. The authors recommend these results should discourage self-medication with cannabis during pregnancy, particularly for those with existing depression.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05466APA
Lendel, Anastasia; Richards, Ria; Benedict, Jason; Lynch, Courtney; Schaffir, Jonathan. (2024). Incidence of postpartum depression in low-income cannabis users with and without a history of depression.. Archives of women's mental health, 27(1), 145-151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01389-y
MLA
Lendel, Anastasia, et al. "Incidence of postpartum depression in low-income cannabis users with and without a history of depression.." Archives of women's mental health, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01389-y
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Incidence of postpartum depression in low-income cannabis us..." RTHC-05466. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lendel-2024-incidence-of-postpartum-depression
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.