Background: We assessed associations of mood at 5-6 weeks postpartum with peripartum saliva cortisol and progesterone profiles.
Method: A prospective study involved 120 primiparous women free of major marital, socioeconomic and health problems, who collected saliva twice daily from 2 weeks before delivery to day 35 postpartum. This allowed intensive characterisation of cortisol and progesterone profiles. At the conclusion of the study, mood was assessed according to standard criteria.
Results: Seven women developed major depression according to DSM-III-R criteria. No associations emerged between progesterone and mood at 5 to 6 weeks. Lower levels of evening cortisol in the immediate peripartum period, were associated with postnatal depression.
Conclusion: The study provides no support for the treatment strategy of progesterone augmentation following delivery, as a prophylactic against postnatal depression. The HPA axis and its associations with postnatal mood warrants further investigation.