Revision of the postpartum depression predictors inventory.

Postpartum depression has been described as a thief that steals motherhood. Early recognition is one of the major challenges with this devastating mood disorder. This article describes a revised version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory (PDPI) based on the results of an updated meta-analysis. This revised inventory consists of 13 risk factors related to postpartum depression. Guide questions for each of the 13 predictors that clinicians can use during an interview process also are included. Included among these 13 predictors in the PDPI-Revised are four new risk factors: self-esteem, marital status, socioeconomic status, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancy. Ideally, this checklist should be completed each trimester to update a pregnant woman's risk status. After a woman gives birth, the PDPI-Revised should be used to continue to monitor her risk status because she can develop postpartum depression at any time during the 1st year after childbirth.