Birth‐Related Experiences and Postpartum Depression: The Protective Role of Self‐Compassion

Self-compassion appears to play an important buffering role in women's mental health during the postpartum period. Moderation findings suggest that average and higher levels of self-compassion may attenuate the negative effects of a cesarean delivery and lower birth satisfaction on PPD symptom levels. These findings suggest that psychological interventions targeting postpartum mental health or PPD may benefit from incorporating strategies aimed at fostering self-compassion.