Screening methods for postpartum depression.

Nine to fifteen percent of women who have recently given birth experience postpartum depression; however, only a small portion of these women are identified as depressed by health professionals. To improve this poor detection rate, a new screening tool, the Postpartum Depression Checklist (PDC), was constructed, based on the findings of two qualitative studies. The PDC is a simple, practical device for use by health professionals that provides an opportunity to engage a woman actively in a dialogue about her experiences with the 11 symptoms included on the checklist. Its use by health professionals during the 1st year postpartum may help to ensure that mothers who experience postpartum depression receive treatment.