Social life impact for mother scale at first trimester predicts postpartum suicide risk: A prospective study

Objective: To examine whether the Social Life Impact for Mother (SLIM) scale in the first trimester predicts postpartum suicide risk.

Methods: We used part of the hospital-based prospective study conducted in obstetric clinics and hospitals in four populous prefectures in Japan (N = 7,462). Participants completed the SLIM scale, including nine risk factors in the first trimester, and postpartum suicide risk was assessed as item-10 in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, self-harm ideation, at one month after delivery (N = 5,697).

Results: The weighted total score of the SLIM scale which was calculated using the results of odds ratio predicted postpartum suicide risk with moderate accuracy. Pregnant women with 6+ scores of the new SLIM score were 4.26 (95%CI = 3.12-5.01) times more likely to have postpartum suicide risk. The original SLIM score also predicted postpartum suicide risk. The new SLIM score showed higher accuracy than the original score.

Conclusion: The SLIM scale at the first trimester of prenatal checkups may be useful for obstetricians to predict postpartum suicide risk and start to provide support for the expecting mothers. Both weighted total scores could be utilized according to the purpose of implementing the SLIM scale at obstetric institutions.