Who is most at risk of developing postpartum depression?

A new study involving 1.1 million women in 138 countries has identified those most at risk for developing postpartum depression. They include first-time mothers, mothers under 25, and mothers of twins.

Published Tuesday in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study also found that mothers over 40 with twins are the highest risk group of all.

“The size of this study, in over one million new mothers, make the findings highly significant and definitive,” senior author Dr. Jennifer Payne explained in a press release. Payne directs reproductive psychiatry research at the University of Virginia’s medical school.

“Clinicians caring for new mothers can be aware of factors like age, first pregnancy and twin pregnancies that put women at a higher risk of developing postpartum depression and screen and intervene early,” Payne said.

The peer-reviewed study was based on the results of a survey conducted on Flo, a women’s health and menstrual cycle tracking app. A total of 1.135 million women in 138 countries aged 18 to 40-plus responded. Nearly 35 per cent were located in the U.S., Russia and Brazil.