Physical health and mental health are interrelated
and each influences the other.18-21 Perinatal depression
may have long-term effects on the physical health
status of women and their children.7,8 Mothers who
are depressed have an increased risk for preterm labor
and birth, pre-eclampsia, low birthweight infants,
impaired mother-infant child bonding, and cognitive
or affective problems in their children.16,17,22 Women
with depression are much more likely to be victims of
violent crimes, interpersonal violence, and have severe
impairment of daily life functioning, all of which
negatively impact the family structure.23
Working mothers represent a growing trend
among the American workforce. Information gathered
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that,
in 2007, approximately 59% of US mothers with
young children were employed, as compared with
34% in the 1970s.24 Women of childbearing age
represent 48% of the US workforce and the majority
of women who are working during pregnancy will
return to work during the first year of the infant’s
life.25 The most physically and emotionally demanding
time for new mothers is the first year of an infant’s life
and these stressors may have a negative impact on her
mental and physical health.2