Incidence and correlated risk factors of postpartum blues among women attending Kasr El Ainy Hospital

Background Postpartum blues are subjective feelings of confusion and sadness experienced by mothers after giving birth. If not treated correctly, it will turn into moderate to severe psychological disorders as postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Aim The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of postpartum blues and its correlated risk factors. Research design A descriptive correlational research design was adopted in the current study. Sample Convenience samples of 400 postpartum mothers were recruited. Setting The study was conducted at postpartum units at Kasr El Ainy Hospital. Tools Three tools were utilized to gather data for the current study: (a) the structured Interviewing Scheduled Questionnaire, (b) the Personality Trait Questionnaire, and (c) The Kennerley–Gath Blues Questionnaire. Results The current study reported that the mean age of the study sample was 27.7±6.9 years old, and the incidence of postpartum blues was 58.5% ( n =400) of the study sample. There was a statistically significant between the incidence of postpartum blues and marital harmony ( P =0.04), domestic violence ( P =0.02), parity ( P =0.04), BMI ( P =0.004), current pregnancy planning ( P =0.001), mode of current delivery ( P =0.001), maternal complications during labor ( P =0.002), neonatal complications during labor ( P =0.009), neonatal sex ( P =0.001) and composed theme as personality trait ( P =0.02), quiet response theme as personality trait ( P =0.04), and depressive theme as personality trait ( P =0.008). Conclusion The incidence of postpartum blues occurrence is 58.5%, and the risk factors for postpartum blue occurrence were martial harmony, domestic violence, primipara, obese women, female, normal vaginal delivery, unplanned pregnancy, the occurrence of maternal and neonatal complications during labor and composed theme, quiet response theme and depressive theme as a personality trait. Recommendations Early detection and intervention are needed to reduce postpartum blues status in postpartum should be implemented in outpatient clinics.