Towards parenthood: An antenatal intervention to reduce depression, anxiety and parenting difficulties

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There have been few antenatal interventions aimed at preparing women for the transition to parenthood and previous attempts to intervene antenatally to prevent postnatal depression and anxiety have had limited impact. METHODS: We evaluated the effectiveness of an antenatal intervention which targeted risk factors for poor postnatal adjustment, with the dual aim of reducing both postnatal symptoms of depression/anxiety and parenting difficulties (a nine-unit self-guided workbook with weekly telephone support). Based on an initial feasibility study (n=200) which confirmed a low level of help-seeking among distressed women during pregnancy, an additional community networking compone..